"Yes," said the gentleman. "A sort of gathering of the lions, you know. Open house. I have a card—two in fact, one for a friend who has discovered a new slab in Assyria. He ought to be here by now."
Just then a servant brought a letter for the gentleman.
"Hem!—can't come; just like that sort of man! I don't know whether you care for this sort of thing, but if you do there is his card."
Leicester thanked his generous acquaintance gratefully, and they dined together on the understanding that they should drop in at Howard Murpoint's house afterward.
Leicester could scarcely eat or restrain his excitement, but by an effort he managed to conceal it and assume a certain amount of indifference.
About nine o'clock they started for their conversazione.
Howard Murpoint's house was magnificently lighted up and a crowd of servants were massed in the hall to receive the guests.
"Heaps of people here to-night," said Leicester's useful friend. "I'm afraid you won't thank me."
"I am anxious to see the great man," said Leicester, "and would go through a greater crush than this."
"Well, he's a great man and worth seeing," said the friend, as they entered the grand salon.