"And to tell you the truth," said Leighton with a smile, "I don't know that I'm sorry." Lewis rose to his feet.
"Well, Dad," he said, "it's about twelve o'clock."
"Go ahead, my boy," said Leighton. "Bring the lady to lunch to-day or any other day—if she'll come. Just telephone Nelton."
CHAPTER XXXVI
DURING the next few days Leighton saw little of his son and nothing of Folly, but he learned quite casually that the lady was occupying an apartment overlooking Hyde Park. From that it was easy for him to guess her address, and one morning, without saying anything to Lewis of his plans, he presented himself at Folly's door. A trim maid opened to his ring.
"Is Mlle. Delaires in, my dear?" asked Leighton.
The maid stiffened, and peered intently at Leighton, who stood at ease in the half-dusk of the hall. When she had quite made out his trim, well-dressed figure, she decided not to be as haughty as she had at first intended.
"Miss Delaires," she said, without quite unbending, however, "is not in to callers at half after ten; she's in her bath."
"I am fortunate," remarked Leighton, coolly. "Will you take her my card?" He weighted it with a sovereign.
"Oh, sir," said the maid, "it's not fair for me to take it. She won't be seeing you. I can promise."