"Won't you and your friend share my table, Patricia?"
Patricia turned round as if someone had hit her, her face flaming. "Oh!" she cried. "You?"
"I have a table booked, and if you will dine with me you will be conferring a real favour upon a lonely fellow-creature."
Bowen smiled from Patricia to Mr. Triggs, who was looking at him in surprise.
"Oh! where are my manners?" cried Patricia as she introduced the two men.
Mr. Triggs's eyes bulged at the mention of Bowen's title.
"Now, Mr. Triggs," said Bowen, "won't you add the weight of your persuasion to mine, and persuade Miss Brent that the only thing to do is for you both to dine with me and save me from boredom?"
"Well, it was to 'ave been my treat," said Mr. Triggs, not quite sure of his ground.
"But you can afford to be generous. Can't you share her with me, just for this evening?"
Mr. Triggs beamed and turned questioningly to Patricia, who, seeing that if she declined it would be a real disappointment to him, said: