"Do you mean her helping him ?" "It's not of Nanda I'm speaking--it's of him." Vanderbank spoke with a certain impatience.

"His being with her in any sort of direct relation at all.

His mixing her up with his other beastly affairs." Mrs.Brook looked intelligent and wan about it, but also perfectly good-humoured.

"My dear man, he and his affairs ARE such twaddle!" Vanderbank laughed in spite of himself.

"And does that make it any better ?" Mrs.Brook thought, but presently had a light--she almost smiled with it.