And presently it came—the knock at the box door for which I had been listening. I rose and opened it. A tall young Englishman, with smooth parted hair, whose evening attire was so immaculate as to become almost an offence, stood and stared at me through his eyeglass.
"Mr. Greatson!" he suggested. "Mr. Arnold Greatson?"
I acknowledged the fact with becoming meekness.
"My name is Milton," he said—"Captain Angus Milton. I am in the suite of the Archduchess for this evening. Her Highness occupies the box opposite to yours."
I bowed.
"I have noticed the fact," I answered. "The Archduchess has been good enough to favour us with some attention."
The young man stared at me for some moments. I found myself able to endure his scrutiny.
"Her Highness desires that you and the young lady"—for the first time he bowed towards Isobel—"will be so good as to come to the anteroom of the Royal box. She is anxious for a few minutes' conversation with you."
"The Archduchess," I answered, "does us too much honour! I shall be glad, however, if you will inform her that we will take another opportunity of waiting upon her. Miss de Sorrens is much interested in the play."
The young man dropped his eyeglass. I was proud of the fact that I had succeeded in surprising him.