"Speak to you?"
"I didn't give her a chance," returned Ardly, gloomily. "What's the use?"
The knocker rose and fell, and Mr. Paul entered, as unaltered as if he had stepped aside while the eight years slid by.
Nevins greeted him with a slight surprise, for they had drifted different ways.
"Glad to see you," he said, hospitably; "but this is an unusual honor."
"It is unusual," admitted Mr. Paul, seating himself stiffly on the edge of the divan.
"I am afraid to flatter myself with the hope that a whisper of my spreading fame has brought you," continued Nevins, nodding affably.
Mr. Paul looked up absently. "I have heard no such rumor," he replied, and regarded the floor as if impressed with facts of import.
"Perhaps it is your social charm," suggested Ardly; "or it may be that in passing along Fifty-fifth Street he felt my presence near."
Nevins frowned at him and lighted a fresh cigarette.