“It's beastly wet,” he said in a melodious ringing voice. “The black dog is on me to-night, Sergius.”

“Oh!”

“You don't want to go out, really,” Anthony continued, looking narrowly at his friend's curiously rigid face.

“Yes, I do.”

“Not to Curzon Street. They've filled up your place. I told Venables to ask Hugh Graham. I knew he was disengaged to-night. Besides—you're seedy.”

Sergius frowned.

“I'm all right again now,” he said coldly, “and I particularly wished to go. You needn't have been so deuced anxious to make the number right.”

“Well, it's done now. And I can't say I'm sorry, because I want to have a talk with you. I say, Serge, take off those lavender gloves, pull off your coat, let's send out for some dinner, and have a comfortable evening together in here. I've had a hard day's work, and I want a rest.”

“I must go out presently.”

“After dinner then.”