"Before that you were playing billiards with me," Lord Mellifont intimated.

"Then it must have been yesterday," said Vawdrey.

But he was in a tight place. "You told me this morning you did nothing yesterday," the actress objected.

"I don't think I really know when I do things." Vawdrey looked vaguely, without helping himself, at a dish that was offered him.

"It's enough if we know," smiled Lord Mellifont.

"I don't believe you've written a line," said Blanche Adney.

"I think I could repeat you the scene." Vawdrey helped himself to haricots verts.

"Oh, do—oh, do!" two or three of us cried.

"After dinner, in the salon; it will be an immense régal," Lord Mellifont declared.

"I'm not sure, but I'll try," Vawdrey went on.