It was this man, and not her husband, whom she perceived from the first was master of the situation.  His geniality was that of the commander of an overwhelming besieging force who could afford to be generous.  She seemed to discern the cloudy ranks of the legions behind him, and they encircled the world.  He was aware of these legions, and their presence completely annihilated the ancient habit of subserviency with which in former years he had been wont to enter this room and listen to the instructions of that formidable old lion, the General:  so much was plain from the orchestra.  He went forward with a cheerful, if ponderous bonhomie.

“Ah, Hugh,” said he, “I got your message just in time.  I was on the point of going over to see old Murdock.  Seriously ill—­you know—­last time, I’m afraid,” and Mr. Simpson shook his head.  He held out his hand.  Hugh did not appear to notice it.

“Sit down, Mr. Simpson,” he said.

Mr. Simpson sat down.  Chiltern took a stand before him.

“You asked me the other day whether I would take a certain amount of the stock and bonds of the Grenoble Light and Power Company, in which you are interested, and which is, I believe, to supply the town with electric light, the present source being inadequate.”

“So I did,” replied Mr. Simpson, urbanely, “and I believe the investment to be a good one.  There is no better power in this part of the country than Psalter’s Falls.”

“I wished to inform you that I do not intend to go into the Light and Power Company,” said Chiltern.

“I am sorry to hear it,” Mr. Simpson declared.  “In my opinion, if you searched the state for a more profitable or safer thing, you could not find it.”

“I have no doubt the investment is all that could be desired, Mr. Simpson.  I merely wished you to know, as soon as possible, that I did not intend to put my money into it.  There are one or two other little matters which you have mentioned during the week.  You pointed out that it would be an advantage to Grenoble to revive the county fair, and you asked me to subscribe five thousand dollars to the Fair Association.”

This time Mr. Simpson remained silent.

“I have come to the conclusion, to-day, not to subscribe a cent.  I also intend to notify the church treasurer that I will not any longer rent a pew, or take any further interest in the affairs of St. John’s church.  My wife was kind enough, I believe, to send five hundred dollars to the Grenoble hospital.  That will be the last subscription from any member of my family.  I will resign as a director of the Grenoble Bank to-morrow, and my stock will be put on the market.  And finally I wished to tell you that henceforth I do not mean to aid in any way any enterprise in Grenoble.”

During this announcement, which had been made with an ominous calmness, Mr. Simpson had gazed steadily at the brass andirons.  He cleared his throat.