Stanhope appeared to inspire him.

His mentality when the clergyman was present took possession of every incident that came and went, and clothed it in wit and pleasantry.

Dora's plighted lover honestly thought Dora's undeclared lover the cleverest and most delightful of men.

And he had no opportunity of noting, as Ethel did, the difference in Fred's attitude when he was not present.

Then Mostyn's merry mood became sentimental, and his words were charged with soft meanings and looks of adoration, and every tone and every movement made to express far more than the tongue would have dared to utter.
As this flirtation progressed--for on Dora's part it was only vanity and flirtation--Ethel grew more and more uneasy.