"And now," he concluded, rising, "your friends can't be much longer; I
mustn't put them to the trouble of kicking me out."
Liane put out a hand and caught his. "But I wish you to stay. I promise
you will be welcome. My friends will be delighted. One of them in
especial I am anxious you should know. You will find him well worth your
while, one of the most interesting men in New York, quite a social power
in his way."
"In his way--?"
"A quiet way, my friend, but a very real one."
There was more meaning in her eyes than in her words. Lanyard hung in
doubt. Impossible to misread the sincerity of her desire to have him
stay on. But her motive?
He had delayed too long. Voices sounded in the hallway, the gay accents
of a woman predominating. Then the door opened; five people entered.