They shook hands as Sir Charles came up to make his adieux.
"Good-bye," he said to Quarren. "I'm off to Newport to-morrow. And—I—I promised to ask you to come with me."
"Mrs. Sprowl told me to bring you. You know how informal she is."
Quarren, surprised, glanced sharply at Sir Charles. "I don't believe she really wants me," he said.
"If she didn't she wouldn't have made me promise to bring you. She's that sort, you know. Won't you come? I am sure that Mrs. Leeds, also, would be glad to see you."
Quarren looked him coolly and unpleasantly in the eyes.
"Do you really believe that?" he asked, almost insolently.
Sir Charles reddened:
"She asked me to say so to you. I heard from her this morning; and I have fulfilled her request."