‘He gave no reason beyond that it was his first night in London.’

Miss Le Mesurier looked again at Drake.  His indifference irritated her and in a measure interested her in spite of herself.  She was not used to indifference, and felt a need to apologise for it to herself.  ’Of course,’ she reflected, ‘he had not seen me then,’ and so was reinstated in her self-esteem.  The explanation, however, failed her the next moment.  For Drake, at all events, had seen her now; she had caught him looking up into the box before Conway left.  Yet when Conway communicated his news, Drake never so much as moved his head in her direction.  The three blows of the mallet had just sounded from behind the curtain and he sat upright in his seat, his face fixed towards the stage.  Clarice bit her lips and frowned.

‘Don’t be alarmed.  He is really quite interested in you.’  She looked up.  Fielding was standing just behind her shoulder.  ’He asked me quite often what you were like.’

‘I don’t understand you,’ said she loftily; and then, ’He might be a schoolboy at his first pantomime.’

‘He gives that kind of impression, I believe, in everything he does.’

Miss Le Mesurier had not made the remark in order to elicit eulogy.

‘He looks old, though,’ she said, and her voice defied Fielding to contradict her.

‘Responsibility writes with the cyphers of age,’ he quoted solemnly.  It was his habit to recite sentences from A Man of Influence when Mallinson was present, in a tone which never burlesqued but somehow belittled the work.  Mallinson was never able to take definite offence, but he was none the less invariably galled by it.

’As a matter of fact there is hardly a year to choose between the ages of Drake, Conway, and you, Mallinson, is there?’ asked Fielding.

Mallinson admitted that the statement was correct.

’He has lived a hard life, has anxieties enough now, I don’t doubt.  You will find the explanation in that.  The only people who remain young nowadays are actors.  They keep the child in them.’

The curtain went up as he spoke.  As soon as it was lowered again Conway hurried Drake out of the stalls and up the staircase to the box.  Clarice welcomed Drake quietly.  Mr. Le Mesurier vouchsafed him the curtest of nods.

‘Didn’t I see you join Israel Biedermann?’ asked Fielding.  The name belonged to a speculator who had lately been raised into prominence by the clink of his millions.

‘Yes,’ replied Drake, with a laugh.  ’The city makes one acquainted with strange financiers.  I have business with him.’

Mr. Le Mesurier showed symptoms of interest.

‘Really?’ he said.  ‘You mean to return to Africa, I suppose.’

‘If I can help it, no.’

‘You intend to stay in England?’ asked Mallinson sharply.

‘Yes,’ replied Drake.  He addressed himself to Miss Le Mesurier.  ’You were kind enough to invite me to your house on the evening I arrived.’