Page:By order of the Czar.djvu/317



BY ORDER OF THE CZAR. 305

" Mr. Samuel Swynford," said Chetwynd, patting him familiarly upon the shoulder.

" Ah, we were just talking about that unhappy person," said Swynford, ic I and your wife. I have been giving Mrs. Chetwynd a few points upon a subject in which we are all interested, I more especially."

" You must come and dine, Mr. Swynford," said Agnes, " and we will have a long chat."

" Yes," said Dick. " When will you come ? "

" To-morrow ? " asked Mrs. Chetwynd.

" With pleasure," said Swynford.

" Ah, here is Lord Singleton," said Dick. " Allow me to present Mr. Samuel Swynford."

" How do you do, Mr. Swynford ? " said Lord Singleton. " Very glad to make your acquaintance."

" Thank you very much," said Swynford.

" I want to show you a picture I have just bought, and, if I may, to have a word on business. Rather unfair to talk about money to you outside the city, but some people who are interested in a scheme you favor very much, I am told, have asked me to become a director."

" To-morrow, then, at seven," said Dick Chetwynd, nodding at Swynford.

" With pleasure," said Swynford. " I shall be there."

And the four gradually disappeared among the throng, Swynford congratulating himself in a melancholy kind of way upon the friendly intercourse he had struck up with the Chetwynds, more particularly pleased with Dick's amiable, sympathetic and handsome wife.

Lord Singleton presently carried him off to lunch at an adjacent club, where Sam entertained and instructed him in connection with certain investments which his lordship had made. Lord Singleton in his turn gave Swynford sundry valuable hints about certain pictures which Swynford in- tended to purchase ; not that he had much room for them

20