But his companion still lingered, a shy sociability in his eye.

“If you’re walking, then, can I go along a little way?” And he nodded southward down the shabby gaudy avenue.

That, again, was part of the high comedy of the hour—­that Millner should descend the Spence steps at young Spence’s side, and stroll down Fifth Avenue with him at the proudest moment of the afternoon; O. G. Spence’s secretary walking abroad with O. G. Spence’s heir!  He had the scientific detachment to pull out his watch and furtively note the hour.  Yes—­it was exactly forty minutes since he had rung the Spence door-bell and handed his card to a gelid footman, who, openly sceptical of his claim to be received, had left him unceremoniously planted on the cold tessellations of the vestibule.

“Some day,” Miller grinned to himself, “I think I’ll take that footman as furnace-man—­or to do the boots.”  And he pictured his marble palace rising from the earth to form the mausoleum of a footman’s pride.

Only forty minutes ago!  And now he had his opportunity fast!  And he never meant to let it go!  It was incredible, what had happened in the interval.  He had gone up the Spence steps an unknown young man, out of a job, and with no substantial hope of getting into one:  a needy young man with a mother and two limp sisters to be helped, and a lengthening figure of debt that stood by his bed through the anxious nights.  And he went down the steps with his present assured, and his future lit by the hues of the rainbow above the pot of gold.  Certainly a fellow who made his way at that rate had it “in him,” and could afford to trust his star.

Descending from this joyous flight he stooped his ear to the discourse of young Spence.

“My father’ll work you rather hard, you know:  but you look as if you wouldn’t mind that.”

Millner pulled up his inches with the self-consciousness of the man who had none to waste.  “Oh, no, I shan’t mind that:  I don’t mind any amount of work if it leads to something.”

“Just so,” Draper Spence assented eagerly.  “That’s what I feel.  And you’ll find that whatever my father undertakes leads to such awfully fine things.”

Millner tightened his lips on a grin.  He was thinking only of where the work would lead him, not in the least of where it might land the eminent Orlando G. Spence.  But he looked at his companion sympathetically.

“You’re a philanthropist like your father, I see?”

“Oh, I don’t know.”  They had paused at a crossing, and young Draper, with a dubious air, stood striking his agate-headed stick against the curb-stone.  “I believe in a purpose, don’t you?” he asked, lifting his blue eyes suddenly to Millner’s face.

“A purpose?  I should rather say so!  I believe in nothing else,” cried Millner, feeling as if his were something he could grip in his hand and swing like a club.

Young Spence seemed relieved.  “Yes—­I tie up to that.  There is a Purpose.  And so, after all, even if I don’t agree with my father on minor points ...”  He coloured quickly, and looked again at Millner.  “I should like to talk to you about this some day.”