Ten minutes later there was that stir which announced the arrival of some public figures; and Donnegan with big George behind him came into the room. This evening he went straight to the table to Nelly Lebrun. Milligan, a little uneasy, rose. But Donnegan was gravely polite and regretted that he had interrupted.
"I have only come to ask you for five minutes of your time," he said to the girl.
She was about to put him off merely to make sure of her hold over him, but something she saw in his face fascinated her. She could not play her game. Milligan had slipped away before she knew it, and Donnegan was in his place at the table. He was as much changed as Lord Nick, she thought. Not that his clothes were less carefully arranged than ever, but in the compression of his lips and something behind his eyes she felt the difference. She would have given a great deal indeed to have learned what went on behind the door of Donnegan's shack when Lord Nick was there.
"Last time you asked for one minute and stayed half an hour," she said. "This time it's five minutes."
No matter what was on his mind he was able to answer fully as lightly.
"When I talk about myself, I'm always long-winded."
"Tonight it's someone else?"
"Yes."
She was, being a woman, intensely disappointed, but her smile was as bright as ever.
"Of course I'm listening."