Presently she continued, "Are you going to remain for some time here?
If so, I shall be delighted to contribute to your pleasure."
I then informed her of my prospective visit to my son and his wife.
Her next question was, "Pardon me, but have you any dinner engagement? If not, dine with me at ——'s restaurant, unless you have choice in the matter, in which case I gladly defer in your favor."
She had handed me her card, and of course common courtesy required that
I reciprocate.
At the table I quietly (though not by request) returned thanks, and then followed this up with the message that the Master had, in answer to silent prayer, laid on my heart.
Her patronizing smile was rather disconcerting as she responded:
'My dear, I am much older and have had much more real experience than you. I've come in touch with every phase of humanity, and have at last reached the place where I have decided to get all I can out of life—all the fun, all the pleasure possible. I once thought and felt as you do. You'll get over it when you have had a few hard knocks to contend with. Take my advice. Enjoy yourself every day and hour, and as much as you can."
"I do," was my reply. "I would not exchange the experience of the past decade for all the former years of worldly dissipation and pleasure put together. They have all been unsatisfactory. This is quite the opposite, and, better still, it is the enjoyment of indescribable peace and delight. You are not going to be much longer in this world. Mrs. R——, I beg of you to seek the Lord whilst he may still be found. It is not too late, but soon, yes, very soon it may be. Then where will you spend eternity?"
Her lips curled with a sinister, contemptuous sneer. Nevertheless she managed to smile as she resorted to repartee.
"You must come with me this evening," she said. "I intend to take possession of you for an hour or two, and give you a good time."