They had met only once hitherto, six months ago, when Mr.Denyer paid a flying visit to London, and had just time to make the acquaintance of his prospective son-in-law.

This afternoon they walked together for an hour about the Chiaia, with the result that an understanding of some kind seemed to be arrived at between them.
Mr.Denyer returned to the _pension_, and, when dinnertime approached, surprised Madeline with the proposal that she should come out and dine with him at a restaurant.
"The fact is," he whispered to her, with a laugh, "my appearance is not quite up to the standard of your dinner-table.

I'm rather too careless about these things; it's doubtful whether I possess a decent suit.

Let us go and find a quiet corner somewhere--if a fashionable young lady will do me so much honour." Through Madeline's mind there passed a suspicion, but a restaurant-dinner hit her taste, and she accepted the invitation readily.

Before long, they drove into the town.