"Don't include him among my friends! But—he was here this afternoon."
"He was!" In his rising interest Laurie nearly let the match go out. "What did he want?"
"To warn me to have nothing to do with you."
"I like his infernal cheek!"
Laurie lit the cigarette and puffed at it savagely. Then, rising, he drew his chair forward and sat down facing her.
"See here," he said quietly, "you'd better tell me the whole story. I can't help you much if I'm kept in the dark. But if you'll let me into things—And before I forget it," he interrupted himself to interject, "I want to bring a friend of mine to call on you. She will be a tower of strength. She's a Russian, and one of the best women I know."
She listened with a slight smile.
"What's her name?"
"Miss Orleneff, Sonya Orleneff, a great pal of my sister's and an all-round good sort. I'd like to bring her in to-morrow afternoon. Will five be convenient?"
"No." She spoke now with the curtness of the morning. "In no circumstances," she added, decisively.