You are never likely to come across him--nor any other civilized person." There was a subtle indication in his tone of a desire not to pursue the subject.

His guests naturally respected it.

There was a moment's silence.

Then Cecil once more leaned forward.

He hesitated for a moment, even after his lips had parted, as though for some reason he were inclined, after all, to remain silent, but the consciousness that every one was looking at him and expecting him to speak induced him to continue with what, after all, he had suddenly, and for no explicit reason, hesitated to say.
"You spoke, Miss Le Mesurier," he began, "of looking over the house, and, as I told you, there is very little in it worth seeing.