Bruce Cheniston looked away quickly. Somehow he did not care to meet the other man's eyes at that moment.
"One thing only I would like to ask of you." Anstice's manner was not that of a man asking a favour. "If Miss Wayne remains impervious to your entreaties"--Cheniston coloured angrily, suspecting sarcasm--"will you be good enough to let me know?"
"Certainly." Cheniston was suddenly anxious to leave the house, to quit the presence of this man who spoke so quietly even while his black eyes flamed in his haggard face. "I will try my luck at once--within the next week or two. See here, Miss Wayne's birthday dance comes off shortly. If, after that, I have not won her consent, I will quit the field. Is that fair?"
"Quite fair." Suddenly Anstice laughed harshly. "And you think I can then step forward and try my luck. Why, you fool, can't you see that for both of us this is the psychological moment--that the man who hangs back now is lost? I am to wait in the background while you go forward and seize the golden minute? Well"--his voice had a bitter ring--"I've agreed, and you've got your way; but for God's sake go before I repent of the bargain."
Cheniston, startled by his manner, moved backward suddenly; and a chair went over with a crash which set the nerves of both men jarring.
"When you've quite done smashing my furniture"--Anstice's jocularity was savage--"perhaps you'll be good enough to clear out. I won't pretend I'm anxious for more of your company to-night!"
Cheniston picked up the chair, and placed it against the table with quite meticulous care.
"I'll go." He suddenly felt as though the man who stood opposite, the flame from the candles flickering over his face with an odd effect of light and shadow, had after all come off the best in this horrible interview. "I--I suppose it's no use saying any more, Anstice. You know, after all"--in spite of his words he felt an irresistible inclination to justify himself--"you do owe me something----"
"Well? Have I denied it?" Now his tone was coldly dangerous. "I have promised to pay a debt which after all was incurred quite blamelessly; but if you expect me to enter into further details of the transaction, you are out in your reckoning."
"I see." Suddenly the resentment which Cheniston had felt for this man since their first meeting flamed into active hatred. "Well, I have your word, and that's enough. As you say, this is a business transaction, and the less said the better. Good night."