He had come home particularly out of sorts that evening and instead of dining at his club as usual, had told Oku to prepare a meal.  Since Virginia’s departure he had seldom had the courage to dine at home.  The large dining room with the big table set for himself alone only served to remind him the more keenly of his loss.  Especially empty and cheerless they looked that day and his mind was obsessed by thoughts of the absent one when suddenly the loud ringing of the telephone bell had aroused his reveries.  He picked up the receiver thinking it was Hadley calling him or possibly someone in his office, when to his amazement he heard the voice of Jimmie Gillie.

A thrill ran through him as he listened.  At last she had sent for him.  His life was not to be irretrievably blasted, after all.  Virginia was ready to forgive him and to come home again.  He could scarcely believe his ears and in his joy he was ready to embrace the polished surface of the telephone.  A reconciliation was possible without the sacrifice of his self-respect.  He did not stop to analyze her motives or to question the authenticity of the summons.  It was enough that her sister’s husband said she wanted to see him.  Then, suddenly, an idea occurred to him, which sent the blood from his face.  He felt hot and cold in turns.  Suppose she were ill, dying and they had sent for him because she was on her death-bed.  He would not delay a moment.

Touching a few electric bells, he set Oku and other servants running with hurry orders that galvanized new life into the sleepy household, and half an hour later he was in his motor car, speeding in the direction of Harlem.

At the first sound of the bell, instinct had told Fanny who it was.  She had delayed answering in order not to unduly alarm Virginia, and for a few moments she was at a loss what to do.  Jimmie had hastily but discreetly disappeared, preferring to let his wife now play her role in the little comedy intended to bring Robert and Virginia together, but it was by no means an easy part to play and it was only when she knew that the millionaire was standing outside waiting for admittance that she quite realized how difficult was her task.  There was no telling how the plan would work.  A lie had been told, even if it was a lie in a good cause.  If Stafford found out that he had been imposed upon, it might make matters worse, and as to Virginia she would certainly never forgive them.

It was not, therefore, without misgivings that Fanny opened the door and with a cordial smile on her anxious face bade Robert Stafford welcome.

He greeted his sister-in-law in his usual hearty manner, as if nothing had occurred to interrupt their intimacy and friendship.  But it was easy to see that his thoughts were on one person only.  Directly he came in, his eyes wandered round the apartment in search of her and he seemed to be listening intently as if for the sound of her voice.  Standing still and questioning Fanny with an anxious look he asked in a low tone: