Miss Bride has studied medicine, and a very good doctor she would have made." Dyce turned towards Constance, of whose proximity he had been aware, though he had scarcely looked at her, and, as she bent her head smiling, he rose and bowed.

The lady whom their hostess had addressed--she was middle-aged, very comely and good-humoured of countenance, and very plainly attired--replied to the blunt remarks in an easy, pleasant tone.
"I should have no doubt whatever of Miss Bride's competence.

But--" Lady Ogram interrupted her, seeming not to have heard what she said.
"Let me introduce to you Mr.Dyce Lashmar, who has thought a good deal more about this kind of thing than either you or me.

Mrs.Gallantry, Mr.Gallantry." Again Dyce stood up.

Mr.Gallantry, a tall, loose-limbed, thinly thatched gentleman, put on a pair of glasses to inspect him, and did so with an air of extreme interest, as though profoundly gratified by the meeting.