Usselex took the note, opened the envelope, which he tossed on the table, and possessed himself of the contents.
"Is the messenger waiting?" he asked.
"Yes, sir."
"Very good. Say I will be there immediately."
The man bowed and left the room.
"I am sorry, Eden—"
"What is it?"
"Nothing of any moment—a matter of business to which I must attend." He glanced at the clock. "It is after ten," he added. "You will not want to leave for Delmonico's before half-past eleven, will you? Very good; I will be back long before then." He had risen from his seat, and now he bent over and took her hand in his. "I am sorry I have to go. It is so seldom we have an evening together. And I had counted on this."
Eden raised a finger warningly. "If you are not back in time," she said, "I will send for Arnswald and go with him."
"I can trust him with you," he answered, and left the room. In a moment he returned, hat in hand. "By the way, Eden, I forgot to ask—you have sent out cards, have you not?"