'I hardly venture to ask it,' Captain Sarrasin said; 'but would you honour us by dining with us—any day you have to spare?'
'I shall be delighted,' the Dictator replied. 'Let us find a day. May I send for my secretary?'
Mr. Hamilton was sent for and entered, bland and graceful as usual, but with a deep sore at his heart.
'Hamilton, how soon have I a free day for dining with Captain Sarrasin, who is kind enough to ask me?'
Hamilton referred to his engagement-book.
'Saturday week is free. That is, it is not filled up. You have seven invitations, but none of them has yet been accepted.'
'Refuse them all, please; I shall dine with Captain Sarrasin.'
'If Mr. Hamilton will also do me the pleasure——' the kindly captain began.
'No, I am afraid I cannot allow him,' the Dictator answered. 'He is sure to have been included in some of these invitations, and we must diffuse ourselves as much as we can. He must represent me somewhere. You see, Captain Sarrasin, it is only in obedience to Hamilton's policy that I have consented to go to any of these smart dinner parties at all, and he must really bear his share of the burden which he insists on imposing upon me.'
'All right; I'm game,' Hamilton said.