When Hubert's name was announced by the servant, this gentleman stopped midway in a sentence, took his pipe from his lips, and looked to the door with curiosity.
Mutimer rose and addressed his visitor easily indeed, but not discourteously.
'How do you do, Mr.Eldon?
I'm glad to see that you are so much better.
Will you sit down?
I think you know Mr.Rodman, at all events by name ?' Hubert assented by gesture.

He had come prepared for disagreeable things in this his first meeting with Mutimer, but the honour of an introduction to the latter's friends had not been included in his anticipations.

Mr.Rodman had risen and bowed slightly.

His smile carried a disagreeable suggestion from which Mutimer's behaviour was altogether free; he rather seemed to enjoy the situation.
For a moment there was silence and embarrassment.

Richard overcame the difficulty.
'Come and dine with me to-night, will you ?' he said to Rodman.