CHAPTER XVI.
In spite of the wit of the hostess and her exquisite cordiality, our dinner at Mrs.Leverson's was hardly a success.

Oscar was not himself; contrary to his custom he sat silent and downcast.

From time to time he sighed heavily, and his leaden dejection gradually infected all of us.

I was not sorry, for I wanted to get him away early; by ten o'clock we had left the house and were in the Cromwell Road.

He preferred to walk: without his noticing it I turned up Queen's Gate towards the park.