This startling fact did not tally somehow with the idea Davidson had of Heyst.

He never talked of women, he never seemed to think of them, or to remember that they existed; and then all at once--like this! Running off with a casual orchestra girl! "You might have knocked me down with a feather," Davidson told us some time afterwards.
By then he was taking an indulgent view of both the parties to that amazing transaction.

First of all, on reflection, he was by no means certain that it prevented Heyst from being a perfect gentleman, as before.

He confronted our open grins or quiet smiles with a serious round face.

Heyst had taken the girl away to Samburan; and that was no joking matter.