Fixing his peculiar eyes upon the visitor, he asked abruptly, with polite but purposeful interest, after the health of Mr.and Mrs.Taine and Louise.
The faint shadow of a suggestive smile that crossed the heavy features of James Rutlidge, as he turned his gaze from the gloves to meet the look of the novelist was maddening.
"The old boy is steadily going down," he said without feeling.

"The doctors tell me that he can't last through the winter.

It'll be a relief to everybody when he goes.

Mrs.Taine is well and beautiful, as always--remarkable how she keeps up appearances, considering her husband's serious condition.

Louise is quite as usual.