"You have me at a disadvantage," I said bitterly. "You know I can't have you thrown out without causing a scandal."
He scarcely seemed to hear me. "I will go when she sends me," he muttered.
"All right, my patience is equal to yours," I said.
So there we sat, he with his ghastly white face turned towards the door into the inner rooms, moistening his lips from time to time, I looking out of the window.
To make matters worse, Mrs. Bleecker came clucking in. She, knowing nothing, fell on Quarles' neck, so to speak, and told him all her troubles with sidelong shots at me.
He paid little attention to her vapouring, only repeating in his ghastly, blank way: "I must see Irma."
"Of course!" said Mrs. Bleecker. "I'll tell her you're here."
"Mrs. Bleecker, as a friend, I advise you not to interfere," I said sternly.
She went out, flouncing her skirts at me.
To my surprise, Miss Hamerton presently came in. I cannot say what led her to do it, perhaps she was hoping against hope that he could defend himself. There was no sign of weakness in her now. Her face was as composed as marble. Mrs. Bleecker did not return.