Lewis saw again Wratislaw's wrinkled face when he talked of him, and remembered his words.

"You were within an ace of meeting one of the cleverest men living, a cheerful being in whom the Foreign Office is more interested than in any one else in the world." Wratislaw had never been in the habit of talking without good authority.

This Marker must be indeed a gentleman of parts.
Then conversation dwindled.

Lewis, his mind torn between bitter memories and the pressing necessities of his mission, lent a stupid ear to Mrs.Logan's mild complaints, her gossip about Bardur, her eager questions about home.

George manfully took his place, and by a fortunate clumsiness steered the flow of the lady's talk from Glenavelin and the Wisharts.