He was anxious about Miss Cristel; his only excuse, he told me, being the fear that she might be ill.

Having set him at ease, in that particular, I said: "You seem to be interested in Miss Cristel." His answer raised him a step higher in my estimation.
"How can I help it, sir ?" An odd man, with a personal appearance that might excite a prejudice against him, in some minds.

I failed to see it myself in that light.

It struck me, as I walked home, that Cristel might have made many a worse friend than the retired prize-fighter.
A change in my manner was of course remarked by Mrs.Roylake's ready observation.

I told her that I had been annoyed, and offered no other explanation.