“Grantham House!” he exclaimed.  “Precisely!  Now I declare that it had absolutely slipped my memory for the moment—­only for the moment, mind—­that we have just had placed upon our books one of the most desirable mansions in the west end of London.  A most valued client, too, one whom we are most anxious to oblige.  Dear, dear me!  It is very fortunate—­very fortunate indeed that I happened to think of it, especially as it seems that no one had had the sense to place it upon my list.  Tavernake, get the plans at once and show them to—­er—­to Mrs. Gardner.”

Tavernake crossed the room in silence, opened a drawer, and returned with a stiff roll of papers, which he spread carefully out in front of this unexpected client.  She spoke then for the first time since he had entered the room.  Her voice was low and marvelously sweet.  There was very little of the American accent about it, but something in the intonation, especially toward the end of her sentences, was just a trifle un-English.

“Where is this Grantham House?” she inquired.

“Within a stone’s throw of Grosvenor Square,” Tavernake answered, briskly.  “It is really one of the most central spots in the west end.  If you will allow me!”

For the next few minutes he was very fluent indeed.  With pencil in hand, he explained the plans, dwelt on the advantages of the location, and from the very reserve of his praise created an impression that the house he was describing was the one absolutely perfect domicile in the whole of London.

“Can I look over the place?” she asked, when he had finished.

“By all means,” Mr. Dowling declared, “by all means.  I was on the point of suggesting it.  It will be by far the most satisfactory proceeding.  You will not be disappointed, my dear madam, I can assure you.”

“I should like to do so, if I may, without delay,” she said.

“There is no opportunity like the present,” Mr. Dowling replied.  “If you will permit me,” he added, rising, “it will give me the greatest pleasure to escort you personally.  My engagements for the rest of the day happen to be unimportant.  Tavernake, let me have the keys of the rooms that are locked up.  The caretaker, of course, is there in possession.”

The beautiful visitor rose to her feet, and even that slight movement was accomplished with a grace unlike anything which Tavernake had ever seen before.

“I could not think of troubling you so far, Mr. Dowling,” she protested.  “It is not in the least necessary for you to come yourself.  Your manager can, perhaps, spare me a few minutes.  He seems to be so thoroughly posted in all the details,” she added, apologetically, as she noticed the cloud on Mr. Dowling’s brow.

“Just as you like, of course,” he declared.  “Mr. Tavernake can go, by all means.  Now I come to think of it, it certainly would be inconvenient for me to be away from the office for more than a few minutes.  Mr. Tavernake has all the details at his fingers’ ends, and I only hope, Mrs. Gardner, that he will be able to persuade you to take the house.  Our client,” he added, with a bow, “would, I am sure, be delighted to hear that we had secured for him so distinguished a tenant.”