He resolutely turned his mind away from Claudia.

He could not bear to think about her.
If only he could manage to think about nothing for an hour, sleep would come.
He rose to take his candle, but at the same moment a waiter opened the door.
"A gentleman to see you, sir." "To see me?
Who is it ?" "He says his name's Ayre, and he hopes you'll see him." "I can't see him at this time of night," said Stafford, with the petulance of weariness.

Why did the man bother him?
But Ayre had followed close on his messenger, and entered the room as Stafford spoke.
"Pray forgive me, Mr.Stafford," he said, "for intruding on you so unceremoniously." Stafford received him with courtesy, but did not succeed in concealing his questioning as to the motive of the visit.
Ayre took the chair his host gave him.
"You think this a very strange proceeding on my part, I dare say ?" "How did you know I was here ?" "I had a wire from Eugene Lane.

I'm afraid I seem to be taking a liberty, and that's a thing I hate doing.

But I was most anxious to see you." "Has Eugene any news ?" "What he says is this: It has happened as we feared.