He had seen her by this time pretty well--as far as mere seeing went, and as yet, apparently, he was none the worse for that; but his hope that he should himself escape unperceived had now become acute.

It is singular that this hope should not have led him instantly to turn his back and move away; but the explanation of his imprudent delay is simply that he wished to see a little more of Miss Vivian.

He was unable to bring himself to the point.

Those clever things that he might have said to her quite faded away.

The only good taste was to take himself off, and spare her the trouble of inventing civilities that she could not feel.