They both swallowed their beans.  Burton gave a deep sigh.

“I feel safe again,” he murmured.  “I am certain that I was on the point of suggesting that she send up for Maud.  We might have taken them out together to-night, Mr. Waddington—­had dinner at Frascati’s, drunk cheap champagne, and gone to a music-hall!”

“Burton,” Mr. Waddington said calmly, “I do not for a moment believe that we should so far have forgotten ourselves.  I don’t know how you are feeling, but the atmosphere of this place is most distasteful to me.  These tawdry decorations are positively vicious.  The odor, too, is insufferable.”

Burton rose hastily to his feet.

“I quite agree with you,” he said.  “Let us get out as quickly as we can.”

“Something,” Mr. Waddington went on, “ought to be done to prevent the employment of young women in a public place.  It is enough to alter one’s whole opinion of the sex to see a brazen-looking creature like that lounging about the bar, and to be compelled to be served by her if one is in need of a little refreshment.”

Burton nodded his approbation.

“How we could ever have found our way into the place,” he said, “I can’t imagine.”

“A moment or two ago,” Mr. Waddington groaned, “you were thinking of sending up for Maud.”

Burton, at this, wiped the perspiration from his forehead.

“Please don’t remind me of it,” he begged.  “Let us get away as quickly as we can.”

The young lady leaned over from the bar, holding out a hand, none too clean, on which sparkled several rings.

“Well, you’re in a great hurry all at once,” she remarked.  “Can’t you stay a bit longer?”—­She glanced at the clock.—­“Maud will be down in ten minutes.  You’re not going away after all this time without leaving a message or something for her, Mr. Burton, surely?”

Burton looked at her across the counter as one might look at some strange creature from a foreign world, a creature to be pitied, perhaps, nothing more.

“I am afraid,” he said, “that mine was only a chance visit.  Pray remember me to Miss Maud, if you think it would be any satisfaction to her.”

The young woman stared at him.

“My, but you are funny!” she declared.  “You were always such a one for acting!  I’ll give her your love, never fear.  I shall tell her you’ll be round later in the day.  On Thursday night, then,” she added, turning to Mr. Waddington, “if I don’t see you before, and if you really mean you’re not going to stay for lunch.  I’ll meet you at the corner as usual.”

Mr. Waddington turned away without apparently noticing the outstretched hand.  He raised his hat, however, most politely.  “If I should be prevented,” he began,—­The young woman glared at him.