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"Yes-Harden. You must go down to Richmond at once, see Harden

personally, and tell him to send twice as many orchids as I

ordered, and to have as few white ones as possible. In fact, I

don't want any white ones. It is a lovely day, Francis, and

Richmond is a very pretty place-otherwise I wouldn't bother you

about it."

"No trouble, sir. At what time shall I be back?"

Dorian looked at Campbell. "How long will your experiment take,

Alan?" he said in a calm indifferent voice. The presence of a

third person in the room seemed to give him extraordinary

courage.

Campbell frowned and bit his lip. "It will take about five

hours," he answered.

"It will be time enough, then, if you are back at half-past

seven, Francis. Or stay: just leave my things out for dressing.

You can have the evening to yourself. I am not dining at home, so

I shall not want you."

"Thank you, sir," said the man, leaving the room.