The butler touched his arm and he turned with a sudden start, a look of anguish on his rugged face.
"Mr. Bivens will be pleased to see you in the little library, sir, if you will come at once!"
The man bowed with stately deference.
He followed the servant with quick firm step, a hundred happy ideas floating through his mind.
"Of course, it's all right. My fears were absurd!" he mused. "My instinct was right. He will be pleased to see me. He's in a good humour with all the world to-night."
When the doctor was ushered into the library, Bivens, who was awaiting him alone, sprang to his feet with a look of blank amazement, and then a smile began to play about his hard mouth. He thrust his delicate hands into his pockets and deliberately looked the doctor's big figure over from head to foot as he approached with embarrassment.
"My servant announced that a gentleman wished to speak to me a moment. Will you be good enough to tell me what you are doing in this house to-night?"
The doctor paused and hesitated, his face scarlet from the deliberate insult.
"I must really ask your pardon, Mr. Bivens, for my apparent intrusion. It is only apparent. I came with my daughter."
"Your daughter?"