“Thanks,” answered Tutt, smoothing his hair; “I’m on my way.”

Now this free, almost vulgar manner of speech was in reality foreign to both Tutt and Miss Wiggin and it was born of the instant, due doubtless to some peculiar juxtaposition of astral bodies in Cupid’s horoscope unknown to them, but which none the less had its influence.  Strange things happen on the eve of St. Agnes and on Midsummer Night—­even in law offices.

Mrs. Allison was sitting by the window in Tutt’s office when he came in, and for a full minute he paused upon the threshold while she pretended she did not know that he was there.  The deluge of sunlight that fell upon her face betrayed no crack or wrinkle—­no flaw of any kind—­in the white marble of its perfection.  It was indeed a lovely face, classic in the chiseling of its transparent alabaster; and when she turned, her eyes were like misty lakes of blue.  Bar none, she was the most beautiful creature—­and there had been many—­that had ever wandered into the offices of Tutt & Tutt.  He sought for a word.  “Wonderful”; that was, it, she was “wonderful.”  His stale spirit soared in ecstasy, and left him tongue-tied.  In vulgar parlance he was rattled to death, this commonplace little lawyer who for a score of years had dealt cynically with the loves and lives of the flock of female butterflies who fluttered annually in and out of the office.  Throughout that period he had sat unemotionally behind his desk and listened in an aloof, cold, professional manner to the stories of their wrongs as they sobbed or hissed them forth.  Wise little lawyer that he was, he had regarded them all as just what they were and nothing else—­specimens of the Cecropia.  And he had not even patted them upon the shoulder or squeezed their hands when he had bade them good-by—­maintaining always an impersonal and dignified demeanor.

Therefore he was surprised to hear himself say in soothing, almost cooing tones: 

“Well, my dear, what can I do for you?”

Shades of Abigail!  “Well, my dear!” Tutt—­Tutt!  Tutt!

“I am in great trouble,” faltered Mrs. Allison, gazing in misty helplessness out of her blue grottoes at him while her beautiful red lips trembled.

“I hope I can help you!” he breathed.  “Tell me all about it!  Take your time.  May I relieve you of your wrap?”

She wriggled out of it gratefully and he saw for the first time the round, slender pillar of her neck.  What a head she had—­in its nimbus of hazy gold.  What a figure!  His forty-eight-year-old lawyer’s heart trembled under its heavy layer of half-calf dust.  He found difficulty in articulating.  He stammered, staring at her most shamelessly both of which symptoms she did not notice.  She was used to them in the other sex.  Tutt did not know what was the matter with him.  He had in fact entered upon that phase at which the wise man, be he old or young, turns and runs.