y.' We want a fourth, and I was just looking round
for a man. Come with us."

Drexley laughed grimly.

"You're talking nonsense," he said. "Very good of you, of course," he
added, "but you must please excuse me. That sort of thing's not in my
way at all."

Douglas was persistent.

"There's no reason why it shouldn't be in your way," he said. "You know
Miss Strong, and I'll look after the other girl. I've a fancy to have
you come."

Drexley took up a paper.

"Go and pick up one of the young men," he said. "There are plenty of
them who will be glad to spend the evening with Miss Strong. As for me,
it's out of the question. I should only be a wet blanket."

"You or no one, Drexley," Douglas said, taking out his watch. "Look
here. You've twenty minutes to change your clothes. The girls are
calling here at eight o'clock. Hurry, please."

"I shall do nothing of the sort," Drexley snorted. "There's Molyneux.
Ask him. I've an engagement later on."

Douglas took out his watch again.

"You've only eighteen minutes now," he said. "I know you'll keep them
waiting."

* * * * *

For the first half an hour it was doubtful whether the evening was going
to be a success. Drexley was gloomy, and had not altogether lost the
air of having been forced to do something which bored him. He was
polite, but monosyllabic and gloomy, and his interest in the play was
obviously feigned. Douglas wisely left him to Cicely, and devoted
himself to her little friend, and he soon had the pleasure of seeing
Drexley thaw. Cicely only laughed at his momentary lapses, and she was
far too charming a companion to be ignored. Before the first act was
ended she had conquered. Drexley was watching her with a quiet smile
upon his lips, amused at her eagerness, answering her many questions
readily. In the corridor after the play was over he touched Douglas on
the shoulder.

"You are all coming to the 'Milan' to supper with me," he said. "Miss
Strong and I arranged it, after the second act, and I sent a
commissionaire down for a table."

Cicely laughed up at him.

"Isn't it delightful?" she exclaimed. "Milly and I are so hungry, and
we're dying to see the 'Milan.' Will you bring Milly in another hansom?"

Douglas nodded and lit a cigarette. He wondered whether, after all,
this experiment was going to be such a brilliant success.

CHAPTER XXXII

A SUPPER AT THE "MILAN," AND A MEETING

Drexley, a travelled man