“Have you dropped from the skies?” Sydney asked wonderingly. “It was only yesterday I had your letter, and you never mentioned coming over.”
“I had some unexpected business,” Courtlaw answered shortly.
“And how did you find us here?”
“I called at Montague Street a few minutes after you had left. Mrs. White told me where to find you.”
He leaned back in his chair as though wearied. Yet either the rest or the wine seemed already to have done him good. The lines about his mouth gradually softened. He talked very little and rather absently. In no way could he be said to contribute to the gaiety of the little party. But when they were on their way out he whispered in Anna’s ear.
“Please let me drive you home. I want to talk to you, and I must return to-morrow.”
Anna hesitated.
“We are Mr. Brendon’s guests,” she said, “and I scarcely think it would be nice of me to leave him alone with Sydney.”
Courtlaw turned abruptly to Brendon.