The footman, looking still more wretched, obeyed. Riatt heard him go into the little drawing-room overhead, and then there was a long pause. Once he thought he heard a voice raised in anger. As may be imagined his own anger was not appeased by this reception. While he was waiting, the door of a room next the front door opened and Mr. Fenimer came out. His astonishment at seeing Riatt was so great that with all his tact he could not repress an exclamation, which somehow did not express pleasure. “You here, my dear Riatt!” he said, grasping him cordially by the hand. “Christine, I’m afraid--” “I’ve sent up to see,” said Max, curtly. “Ah, well, my dear fellow,” Mr. Fenimer went on easily, “come, you know, a man really can’t go off in the casual way you did and expect to find everything just as he likes when he comes back. I have a word to say to you myself. Shall we walk as far as the corner together?” To receive his dismissal from Mr. Fenimer was something that Riatt had never contemplated. “I should prefer to wait until the footman comes down,” he answered. “No use, no use,” said Mr. Fenimer, suddenly becoming jovial, “I happen to know that Christine is out. Come back a little later--” “And whose hat is that, then?” asked Max. It had been carelessly left on its crown and the initials “L.L.” were plainly visible. Mr. Fenimer could not on the instant think of an answer, and Riatt decided to go upstairs unannounced. As he opened the drawing-room door he heard Christine’s voice saying: “Thank you, I shall please myself, Lee, even without your kind permission.” The doors in the Fenimer house opened silently, so that though Christine, who was facing the door, saw him at once, Linburne, whose back was turned to it, was unaware of his presence, and answered: “You ought to have more pride than to want to see a fellow who has made it so clear he doesn’t care sixpence about seeing you.” Christine openly smiled at Max, as she answered: “Well, I do want to see him,” and Linburne turning to see at what her smile was directed found himself face to face with Riatt. Max made a gesture to the footman, and shut the door behind his hasty retreat, then he came slowly into the room. “In one thing you are mistaken, Mr. Linburne,” he said. “I do care whether or not I see Miss Fenimer.” Linburne was angry at Christine, not only for insisting on seeing Riatt, but for the lovely smile with which she had greeted him. He was glad of an outlet for his feelings. He almost shrugged his shoulders. “An outsider can only judge by your conduct, Mr. Riatt,” he answered. “And I may tell you that you have subjected Miss Fenimer to a good deal of disagreeable gossip by your apparently caring so little.” “And others by apparently caring so much,” said Max.