As he passed up the flight of steps he drew his rings from his pocket and slipped them on again. Then he stepped into the glare of the thronged corridor.
Some one hailed him as he passed through the crowd, but with Chilcote's most absorbed manner he hurried on. Through the door of the supper-room he caught sight of Blessington and Eve, and then for the first time his expression changed, and he turned directly towards them.
“Eve,” he said, “will you excuse me? I have a word to say to Blessington.”
She glanced at him in momentary surprise; then she smiled in her quiet, self-possessed way.
“Of course!” she said. “I've been wanting a chat with Millicent Gower, but Bobby has required so much entertaining—” She smiled again, this time at Blessington, and moved away towards a pale girl in green who was standing alone.
Instantly she had turned Loder took Blessington's arm.
“I know you're tremendously busy,” he began—in an excellent imitation of Chilcote's hasty manner—“I know you're tremendously busy, but I'm in a fix.”
One glance at Blessington's healthy, ingenuous face told him that plain speaking was the method to adopt.
“Indeed, sir?” In a moment Blessington was on the alert.
“Yes. And I—I want your help.”