“Thank you, yes. But I must be home early.”
He laughed deprecatingly.
“But Lucette, you mustn’t thank me. I am only too glad to have you. Some time, perhaps, you will stay all night with me?”
“Oh, no: I don’t think I shall ever be able to do that. You promised you would not be angry with me?”
“I don’t like you to say things like that, Lucette; of course I am not angry with you, and I never shall be while you are so honest and truthful. But you, in your turn, must not be angry with me if I make you eat something. I’m going to have some supper: I can’t eat alone: you must join me.”
“Very well,” she said, “I will.”
She almost liked him, so indulgently did he treat her.
“Excuse me a minute, please, while I explain to Maisie.”
He went over to the beautiful girl, bent over her, and spoke a few words. In reply, she shrugged her shoulders and turned away.
“Ought you not to ask your friend to sup with you as well?” asked Artemis when he had returned.