And Mrs. Williams began to approve more and more the pleasant young man before her.
“Are you returning home with me?” she asked, presently.
“I’m afraid not. I have business in Birmingham that may detain me for some time,” he replied.
She seemed really disappointed.
“I hate London,” said she, wearily, “so I shall take the first steamer home. You will look it up for me, tomorrow, and make arrangements?”
“With great pleasure, madam.”
“And you must dine with me this evening. I will meet you in the pink salon at half-past seven, and we will go to the main restaurant.”
“Thank you, madam,” he said, filled with a sense of depression at the very idea of dining with the great lady.
As he rose to go she added, as if by an afterthought:
“You will, of course, appear in full dress, Mr. Carden. Until then, au revoir.”