At three o'clock, therefore, Royal Blondin followed his guide out to the basket chairs that were set under the trees, and here he found Richard, comfortably smoking, and alone. The host rose to greet him, but they did not shake hands, and measured each other like wrestlers as they sat down.
"I had your message," Royal said, as an opening.
"You've not seen Nina to-day?" Nina's father asked.
"I broke an engagement with her at the club," the other man assured him. "We will probably meet at the Bellamys', at dinner this evening."
"Ah, it was about that I wished to speak." Richard paused, and Blondin watched him with polite interest. "You have held your knowledge of Mrs. Carter as a sort of weapon for some months," Richard said, presently, "to use it when you saw fit. I have always been in my wife's confidence--"
He paused, but for no reason that Blondin could divine. As a matter of fact, it gave Richard a sudden and unexpected pleasure to speak of her so, to realize that he really might give the most wonderful title in the world to this beautiful and spirited woman.
"And I have also talked with Nina this morning," he went on. "I regret to say that her intentions have not altered."
"A loyal little heart!" Blondin said, gravely and contentedly. "I knew I could depend upon her!"
Richard looked at him steadily for a moment, and felt carefully for his next words.
"You know how I feel about her marrying you--" he began.