He thinks a great deal of you, Mr.Smith, or he wouldn't be so anxious for your return.' Unpleasant to Stephen such remarks as these could not sound; to have the expectancy of partnership with one of the largest-practising architects in London thrust upon him was cheering, however untenable he felt the idea to be.

He saw that, whatever Mr.Hewby might think, Mr.Swancourt certainly thought much of him to entertain such an idea on such slender ground as to be absolutely no ground at all.

And then, unaccountably, his speaking face exhibited a cloud of sadness, which a reflection on the remoteness of any such contingency could hardly have sufficed to cause.
Elfride was struck with that look of his; even Mr.Swancourt noticed it.
'Well,' he said cheerfully, 'never mind that now.

You must come again on your own account; not on business.

Come to see me as a visitor, you know--say, in your holidays--all you town men have holidays like schoolboys.