“Just as you like.”
“I’ll stay if you will allow me,” said Sir Seymour, with sudden decision, like a man who had just overcome something.
The bell rang again.
“Can you act?” said Garstin, quickly.
“Sufficiently, I dare say,” said Sir Seymour, with a very faint and grim smile.
“Then you’d better! He can!”
And Garstin sprang down the stairs. Two or three minutes later Arabian walked into the studio with Garstin just behind him. When he saw Sir Seymour a slight look of surprise came into his face, and he half turned towards Garstin as if in inquiry. Sir Seymour realized that Garstin had not mentioned that there was a visitor in the studio.
“A friend of mine, Sir Seymour Portman,” said Garstin. “Mr. Nicolas Arabian!”
Arabian bowed and said formally:
“Very glad to meet you.”