When the men rose to go to the drawing-room, Sir Stephen caught him up
at the door, and laid a hand upon his arm.
"Happy, dear boy?" he asked in a low voice, full of affection. "I've
seen scarcely anything of you. No, no, I'm not complaining! It was
understood that you were to have a free hand--but--but I've missed you!
Never mind; this crowd will have gone presently, and then--ah, then
we'll have a jolly time to ourselves! Things are going well," he added,
with a significant smile, as he glanced at Wirsch and Griffenberg, who,
well-fed and comfortable, were in front of them.
"I'm glad, sir," said Stafford.
Sir Stephen smiled, but checked a sigh and a shrug of the shoulders.
"Yes, my little schemes are flourishing; but"--he looked at the
financiers again--"they are rather a hard team to drive!"
As Stafford entered the drawing-room, he heard Lady Clansford enquiring
for Miss Falconer.
"We want her to sing, Mr. Orme, and I cannot find her."
"I think she is on the terrace," said Bertie, who always seemed to know
where everybody was.
Stafford went out by one of the windows, and saw Maude Falconer pacing
up and down at the end of the terrace.
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