He's like you, you know--he's proud; and it will be there we shall break down." Mitchy had been watching his friend, who, a few minutes before perceptibly embarrassed, had quite recovered himself and, at his ease, though still perhaps with a smile a trifle strained, leaned back and let his eyes play everywhere but over the faces of the others.

Vanderbank evidently wished now to show a good-humoured detachment.
"See here," Mitchy said to him: "I remember your once submitting to me a case of some delicacy." "Oh he'll submit it to you--he'll submit it even to ME" Mrs.Brook broke in.

"He'll be charming, touching, confiding--above all he'll be awfully INTERESTING about it.

But he'll make up his mind in his own way, and his own way won't be to accommodate Mr.Longdon." Mitchy continued to study their companion in the light of these remarks, then turned upon his hostess his sociable glare.

"Splendid, isn't it, the old boy's infatuation with him ?" Mrs.Brook just delayed.