He at once drew the correct conclusion that the invitation to Romayne must have been given and accepted after he had left the picture gallery.

That the object was to bring Romayne and Stella together, under circumstances which would rapidly improve their acquaintance, was as plain to him as if he had heard it confessed in so many words.

If he had only remained in the gallery, he might have become acquainted with the form of persuasion used to induce a man so unsocial as Romayne to accept an invitation.

"I have myself to blame," he thought bitterly, "for being left in the dark." "Anything wrong with the coffee ?" Miss Notman asked anxiously.
He rushed on his fate.

He said, "Nothing whatever.