Page:Elizabeth Jordan--Tales of the city room.djvu/216

 "I acted as an agent." He had dropped into an easy-chair, and as he spoke he regarded her rather curiously with his sleepy blue eyes.

"Do you remember Hatfeld?" he went on. "Awfully good-looking chap, with light hair and dark eyes. Reserved, but I found him one of the most charming fellows I ever met when I came to know him. Nobody on the paper knew him well except me. Was n't at the office much except at night, and then did his work in a little room off the night editor's sanctum. I liked him and dined with him a lot, and he used to let me talk about you most of the time. Well, he was consumptive, poor fellow. Did n't tell me anything about it until three months ago, when he went to Algiers for his health. The night before he sailed we dined together, and went afterwards to my room to smoke. Am I boring you with all this."

"Go on, please," said Miss Bancroft, in a low tone.

She was standing at the window looking out at the snow, which was falling heavily. The sudden question evidently startled her,