He, easily taken in, believed that Miriam knew more about him than anyone else.

So it pleased him to talk to her about himself, like the simplest egoist.

Very soon the conversation drifted to his own doings.

It flattered him immensely that he was of such supreme interest.
"And what have you been doing lately ?" "I--oh, not much! I made a sketch of Bestwood from the garden, that is nearly right at last.

It's the hundredth try." So they went on.