Mr.Delamayn helped himself to a second glass of wine.
"Excellent claret," he said.

"Do you get it direct from Bordeaux ?" There was no answer.

Mr.Vanborough had returned to the contemplation of the alternative between freeing himself or not freeing himself from the marriage tie.

One of his elbows was on the table, he bit fiercely at his finger-nails.

He muttered between his teeth, "What am I to do ?" A sound of rustling silk made itself gently audible in the passage outside.