For a second her eyes said more to him than her courteous but half-careless words of invitation.

Mannering made no movement forward.
"I am sorry," he said, "but it is impossible for me to stay!" She seemed to dismiss him and the whole subject with a careless little shrug of the shoulders, which was all the farewell she vouchsafed to either of them.

A woman who had just entered seemed to absorb her whole attention.

The two men passed out.
Mannering spoke no word until they stood upon the pavement.

Then he turned almost savagely upon his companion.
"This is a trick of yours, I suppose!" he exclaimed.