Suppressing a sigh of bitter disappointment, Luke rose to go.
"Then," he said, "the sooner I make all arrangements the better. There's only the agreement for the flat to sign and we can move in next week."
"Where's the flat?" queried the old man hesitatingly.
"In Exhibition Road, Kensington, close to the park. Edie loves the park, and it won't be far from barracks for Jim."
"But you've no furniture. How will you furnish a flat? Don't go yet," continued Lord Radclyffe seeing that Luke was preparing to take his leave. "Philip won't be here till tea time."
"I am afraid, sir, that I don't care to steal a few minutes of your company, just when Philip is absent. I would rather not see you at all than see you on sufferance."
"You are very obstinate and tiresome—and you make it so difficult for me. I want to hear about the furniture—and how you are going to manage."
"Lou is helping Edie to get what is wanted," replied Luke, smiling despite the heavy weight of disappointment in his heart. It was pitiable to see the old man's obvious feeling of relief in the absence of the man who was exercising such boundless influence over him.
"But have you money, Luke?" he asked.
"Not overmuch, sir, but enough."