Yes, and in that event he had the horrid consciousness that he would fight with all his strength against that power!
“What is it I am afraid of?” he asked himself. “The baron is right. A man is a fool not to seize happiness when it comes his way!”
If he could only have happiness without capitulation! If he could have love fighting at his side for some great ideal! That were to be blessed indeed. But if love should drag him down—well, even then, he would have love!
Why had the baron talked to him like that? Was it, perhaps, that he had some inkling.... And old Scott, too....
The sharp ringing of his telephone bell startled him out of his thoughts.
“This is Davis,” said the voice at the other end. “What are you doing to-night?”
“Nothing in particular,” Selden answered; the only thing he had definitely planned was to go to the club in the hope of finding Madame Ghita there.
“Then come up and have dinner with us.”
“Who is ‘us’?”
“Madame Ghita, Miss Fayard and myself. We are having a dinner to celebrate a very special event—one in which you are particularly interested.”