“By the way, Fisher, I wonder if you would come on Thursday instead of on Wednesday. I expect an old friend, and should like you to meet him; he is clever and rather off luck just now; of course you’ll get your chat with my wife all right—in fact, better if there are one or two people to engross me.” “Very well, Thursday if you like; it will do just as well for me; I am free both evenings as far as I know.” “Agreed, then.” And Walter went down the office stairs pleased at his own success. * * * * * “That horrid Mr. Wimple will spoil our dinner; I never liked him,” Florence exclaimed when she heard of the arrangement. “I know you didn’t, and I don’t like him either, which is mean of me, for he’s a very old friend.” “But if we neither of us like him, why should we inflict him on our lives?” “We won’t; we’ll cut him as soon as he has five hundred a year; but it wouldn’t be fair to do so just now when he’s down on his luck; he and I have been friends too long for that.” “But not very great friends?” “Perhaps not; but we won’t throw him over in bad weather—try and be a little nice to him to please me, there’s a dear Floggie,” which instantly carried the day. “You had better ask Ethel Dunlop; Fisher is fond of music, and she will amuse him when he is tired of flirting with you,” Walter suggested. “He’ll never tire of that,” she laughed, “but I’ll invite her if you like. She can sing while you talk to Mr. Wimple and your editor discusses European politics with me.” “He’ll probably discuss politics outside Europe, if he discusses any,” her husband answered; “things look very queer in the East.” “They always do,” she said wisely; “but I believe it’s all nonsense, and only our idea because we live so far off.” “You had better tell Fisher to send me out to see.” “Us, you mean.” “No, me. They wouldn’t stand you, dear,” and he looked at her anxiously; “I shouldn’t be much surprised if he asked me to go for a bit—indeed, I think he has an idea of it.” “Oh, Walter, it would be horrible.” “Not if it did me good; sometimes I think I need a thorough change.” She looked at him for a moment. “No, not then,” she answered. [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER III.