"You gain nothing by refusing. The favour is to me—remember that. In a year you'll be in the position you are now, or worse—if you stay. If you go to Athens you will, of course, have a delightful time. You speak French; you will not have much to do. Only the sort of thing you can do easily and well. Don't you want to see different places, different things?... You are the man I have been looking for. There is some very interesting society in Athens. You would be adored there. But I know that's not what you care about."
"No; I have not the 'true Hellenic spirit.' But I want to be independent. I am afraid I couldn't."
"I shall keep this thing open for a month," said Ridokanaki. "Come and see me. All right.—Yes,—I must go.... You had rather write, not come and see me, eh?"
"Of course, you want to consult some one. But, listen. Don't go by women! That would be really a pity. They don't know what's good for them." He laughed a little vaguely.
They both stood up.
"Mr. Ridokanaki, you have been more than kind. It is difficult——"
"Well, you'll think it over. Good-bye, Woodville."
Woodville walked away from the restaurant feeling wildly excited. Mr. Ridokanaki made hideous faces in the mirror in his carriage as he drove away and said to himself—
"He thinks I'm the Frog Prince, and he's Prince Charming. Useless! Waste of time! What a fool I am! An evening thrown away! She'll never let him go. He's too good-looking."