An antique table with writing materials stood in a recess. He wrote
something rapidly on a half sheet of note paper, and placing it inside a
book, laid the volume on the pedestal of a Sèvres vase standing near the
table.
When he left Nell, Lady Wolfer crossed over to her.
"Sir Archie has been amusing you, dear?" she said, casually enough; but
the smile which accompanied the remark did not harmonize with the
unsmiling and anxious eyes.
"Oh, yes," said Nell, laughing. "He has been talking the most utter
nonsense."
"He--he is very strange to-night," said Lady Wolfer, biting her lip
softly. Not to innocent Nell could she even hint that Sir Archie had
taken more wine than was good for him. "He has been talking utter
nonsense to me. Did you notice the flower in his coat?"
"No," said Nell, with some surprise. "Why?"
Lady Wolfer laughed unnaturally.
"Nothing. Yes! Nell, I want you to get that flower from him. It--is a
bet."
"I--get it from him?" said Nell, opening her gray eyes.
Lady Wolfer flushed for a moment.
"It is only a piece of folly," she said. "But--but I want you to get it.
Ask him for it--he cannot refuse. Oh, I can't explain! I will, perhaps;
but get it!"
She moved away as Sir Archie reappeared in the doorway. He came straight
up to Nell.
"I think I'll be off," he said. "Some of the others have gone already."
He went toward Lady Wolfer as if to say "Good night," but, with the
skill which every woman can display on occasion, Lady Wolfer turned from
him as if she did not see him, and joined in the conversation which was
being carried on by the duchess and Lady Angleford.
"I've come to say good night, Lady Wolfer," he said.
She met his gaze for a moment.
"Good night," she said, in the conventional tone. He bowed over her
hand, looked at her with an intense and questioning gaze for an instant,
then left her and came back to Nell.
"Oh, I've forgotten!" he exclaimed, half turning as if to rejoin the
group he had left; then he hesitated, and added: "Will you be so kind as
to give Lady Wolfer a message for me?"
"Yes, certainly," said Nell, rather absently; for she was wondering how
she could ask for the flower, on which her eyes were unconsciously
fixed.