He sprang forward and took it from her.
"My dear friend," she exclaimed, with an attempt at levity, "don't look so tragic! There is a very simple explanation of this extraordinary visit, as you will soon find." "It needs no explanation," he declared.
"Oh, yes, it does, of course," she continued.

"I simply want you to intercede with the authorities here, so that I do not have to go and stand at that terrible counter.

There is a continental train just in, and the place is crowded." "You wish to stay here for the night ?" "Mayn't I?
I have always heard that it was such a charming hotel, and I must stay somewhere." "There is some trouble ?" he asked slowly.
"There is always trouble," she replied, with a shrug of the shoulders.
"To-night seems to me as though it may be the climax.

You won't be horrified if I sit down and smoke one of your cigarettes?
And may I remind you that your attitude is not entirely hospitable ?" Wingate had recovered from his first stupor.

His eyes were very bright, he was filled with the sense of wonderful happenings.
"Oh, I'll be as hospitable as you like," he assured her.