Selingman leaned a little forward, watching his departing figure.

The buoyant good-nature seemed to have faded out of his face.
"If you could get that young man to talk, now, Helda," he muttered, "it would be an achievement." She glanced after him, "To me," she declared, "he looks one of the difficult sort." "He is an Englishman with a grievance," Selingman continued.

"If the grievance cuts deep enough, he may--But we gossip." "The other was a navy man," the girl remarked.

"His name is Baring." Selingman nodded.
"You need not bother about him," he said.

"If it is possible for him to be of use, that is arranged for in another quarter.