"
It was Standon's turn to be offended, and his good-tempered face
hardened.
"Certainly. Pray accept my apologies for having detained you.
Good-night," he said coldly, and before Leroy could even answer, he was
gone.
Adrien strode restlessly up and down. For the first time in all his
easy-going life trouble had touched him. He determined to forget it at
whatever cost; so telling Norgate not to wait up for him, he set out for
the Casket. It was such a lovely night that he dismissed the motor which
was awaiting him, deciding to walk across the park to Victoria Street,
and call in on Shelton, who had a flat there.
The park was beautifully silent, and still stood open to the public.
Absorbed in his reflections, therefore, he left the main track and
wandered down one of the by-paths, in which stood several wooden
benches. Big Ben struck the half-hour. There was just time for another
cigar, and Leroy sat down. He was in no humour yet to endure the heat of
the theatre, or the chaff and vulgarity of Ada Lester.
He lost count of time, in the pleasant quietude of the spot; and his
cigar was burnt down to an inch when, with a half-sigh, he arose to
exchange the hard seat amidst the cool trees for a lounge and a crowd of
ballet girls at the theatre.
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