Going up in the elevator, the old man was ushered by a maid into a violet-scented little nest whose pale green walls were touched discreetly with hangings of heliotrope. An artist, in Uncle Peter's place, might have fancied that the colour scheme of the apartment cried out for a bit of warmth. A glowing, warm-haired woman was needed to set the walls afire; and the need was met when Mrs. Wybert entered. She wore a long coat of seal trimmed with chinchilla, and had been, apparently, about to go out. Uncle Peter rose and bowed. Mrs. Wybert nodded rather uncertainly. "You wished to see me, Mr. Bines?" "I did want to have a little talk with you, Mrs. Wybert, but you're goin' out, and I won't keep you. I know how pressed you New York society ladies are with your engagements." Mrs. Wybert had seemed to be puzzled. She was still puzzled but unmistakably pleased. The old man was looking at her with frank and friendly apology for his intrusion. Plainly she had nothing to fear from him. She became gracious. "It was only a little shopping tour, Mr. Bines, that and a call at the hospital, where they have one of my maids who slipped on the avenue yesterday and fractured one of her--er--limbs. Do sit down." Mrs. Wybert said "limb" for leg with the rather conscious air of escaping from an awkward situation only by the subtlest finesse. She seated herself before a green and heliotrope background that instantly took warmth from her colour. Uncle Peter still hesitated. "You see, I wanted kind of a long chat with you, Mrs. Wybert--a friendly chat if you didn't mind, and I'd feel a mite nervous if you're bundled up that way." "I shall be delighted, Mr. Bines, to have a long, friendly chat. I'll send my cloak back, and you take your own time. There now, do be right comfortable!" The old man settled himself and bestowed upon his hostess a long look of approval. "The reports never done you justice, Mrs. Wybert, and they was very glowin' reports, too." "You're very kind, Mr. Bines, awfully good of you!" "I'm goin' to be more, Mrs. Wybert. I'm goin' to be a little bit confidential--right out in the straight open with you." "I am sure of that." "And if you want to, you can be the same with me. I ain't ever held anything against you, and maybe now I can do you a favour." "It's right good of you to say so." "Now, look here, ma'am, lets you and me get right down to cases about this society game here in New York." Mrs. Wybert laughed charmingly and relaxed in manner. "I'm with you, Mr. Bines. What about it, now?" "Now don't get suspicious, and tell me to mind my own business when I ask you questions." "I couldn't be suspicious of you--really I feel as if I'd have to tell you everything you asked me, some way." "Well, there's been some talk of your marrying that young Milbrey. Now tell me the inside of it." She looked at the old man closely. Her intuition confirmed his own protestations of friendliness.