'Rufus,' she said gravely, after a moment's pause, and looking down at the coals, 'you're an angel.'
'The others in the game don't think so,' answered Mr. Van Torp.
'No one was ever so good to a woman as you've been to me,' said Maud.
And all at once the joyful ring had died away from her voice and there was another tone in it that was sweet and low too, but sad and tender and grateful, all at once.
'There's nothing to thank me for,' answered Mr. Van Torp. 'I've often told you so. But I have a good deal of reason to be grateful to you for all you've given me.'
'Nonsense!' returned the lady, and the sadness was gone again, but not all the tenderness. 'I must be going,' she added a moment later, turning away from the fire.
'I'll take you to the Embassy in a hansom,' said the millionaire, slipping on his overcoat.
'No. You mustn't do that—we should be sure to meet some one at the door. Are you going anywhere in particular? I'll drop you wherever you like, and then go on. It will give us a few minutes more together.'
'Goodness knows we don't get too many!'
'No, indeed!'