He would compare more than favourably with Mr.Moorhouse, whose aspect, bright and agreeable enough, made no promise of originality .-- It must be time to go down.

He left the room with an air of grave self-confidence.
At dinner he was careful to attempt no repetition of the display which had done very well at luncheon; it must not be thought that he had the habit of talking for effect.

Mrs.Warricombe, unless he mistook, had begun to view him more favourably; her remarks made less distinction between him and the other guests.

But he could not like his hostess; he thought her unworthy to be the mother of Sidwell and Fanny, of Buckland and Louis; there was a marked strain of the commonplace in her.

The girls, costumed for the evening, affected him with a return of the awe he had all but overcome.