"Not at all--I'm quite used to it, mademoiselle," Harleston assured her.
"Now you're sarcastic," the voice replied again; "and, somehow, I don't like sarcasm when I'm the cause of it."
"You're the cause of it but not the object of it," he assured her. "I'm quite sure I've never met you, and just as sure that I hope to meet you today."
"Your hope, Mr. Harleston, is also mine. But why, may I ask, do you call me mademoiselle? I'm not French."
"It's the pleasantest way to address you until I know your name."
"Perish the thought! I refuse to imagine you married."
"And you might be a grandmother," he added.
"And doing the Maxixe at the Willard, this minute."
"But you aren't; and no more are you a widow or a divorcée."
"All of which is charming of you, Mr. Harleston but it's not exactly the business I have in hand."
"Business at two o'clock in the morning!" he exclaimed.
He had tried to place the voice, and had failed; he was becoming convinced that he had not heard it before.
"What else would justify me in disturbing you?" she asked.
"Yourself, mademoiselle. Let us continue the pleasant conversation and forget business until business hours."
"When are your business hours, Mr. Harleston--and where's your office?"
"I have no office--and my business hours depend on the business in hand."
"And the business in hand depends primarily on whether you are interested in the subject matter of the business, _n'est-ce pas_?"
"I am profoundly interested, mademoiselle, in any matter that concerns you--as well as in yourself. Who would not be interested in one so impulsive--and anything so important--as to call him on the telephone at two in the morning."
"And who on his part is so gracious--and wasn't asleep," she answered.
Harleston slowly winked at the transmitter and smiled.
He thought so. What puzzled him, however, was her idea in prolonging the talk. Maybe there was not any idea in it, just a feminine notion; yet something in the very alluring softness of her voice told him otherwise.
"You guessed it," he replied. "I was not asleep. Also I might guess something in regard to your business."
"No, no, mademoiselle! It's impertinent to guess about what does not concern me--yet."
"Delete the word 'yet,' Mr. Harleston, and substitute the idea that it was--pardon me--rather gratuitous in you to meddle in the first place."