Drake gave the promise.

So far he had kept it, he realised, as he tossed aside the last copy of the _Meteor_.
At eight o'clock Sidney Mallinson arrived.

He saw Drake at the top of the flight of steps in the vestibule, and hesitated, perceiving that he was alone.
'Hasn't Conway come ?' he asked.

'I sent to him.' 'Not yet.

It's barely eight.' They shook hands limply and searched for topics of conversation.
'You look older than you did,' said Mallinson.
'Ah! Ten years, you know.