"I am sure he does not.

I could not stand being liked by any of these people.

If I thought he liked me I would drown myself rather than go back with him." For of course he had come to take "Florrie" home.

The scene was the dining-room--breakfast interrupted, dishes growing cold, little Fyne's toast growing leathery, Fyne out of his chair with his back to the fire, the newspaper on the carpet, servants shut out, Mrs.Fyne rigid in her place with the girl sitting beside her--the "odious person," who had bustled in with hardly a greeting, looking from Fyne to Mrs.Fyne as though he were inwardly amused at something he knew of them; and then beginning ironically his discourse.

He did not apologize for disturbing Fyne and his "good lady" at breakfast, because he knew they did not want (with a nod at the girl) to have more of her than could be helped.