"By way of the front door, most conventionally, I assure you. I heard the phonograph and told Welsh not to announce me." He shrugged, and drew off his glove. "Aren't you going to greet me, Miss Murdaugh?"
There was a covert sneer in the repetition of her name, and Willa made no advance.
"My cousin is not at home."
"I did not come to see your cousin. I came to renew my acquaintance and make my peace with you. Are you going to punish me still for my temerity in Limasito?"
"No." A little, quizzical smile hovered about her lips. "I think you were quite sufficiently punished for that."
Ignoring the dull red which swept up into his face, she led the way to the drawing-room and dropped into a chair, motioning him to one on the opposite side of the glowing hearth.
"I thought you would be at the opera to-night; I looked for you there, but Mrs. Halstead said you did not feel quite up to it, so I came on the chance that you would say 'How do you do?' to me. We have all missed you in Limasito."
"You have become quite a native, then?" She raised her eyebrows. "You find the life there more congenial, perhaps, than at first."
"Not since you left, my dear Billie. Or is that name forbidden?"
"It is forgotten. Only my friends may recall it, and you were never of their number, Mr. Wiley."