I should have stood on my head (if I could), and been amply rewarded for the graceful exertion, if the eyes of Alicia had looked kindly on my elevated heels! How long I stayed is more than I can tell.

Lunch came up.

I eat and drank, and grew more amusing than ever.

When I at last rose to go, the brown eyes looked on me very kindly, and the doctor gave me his card.
"If you don't mind trusting yourself in the clutches of Doctor Faustus," he said, with a gay smile, "I shall be delighted to see you if you are ever in the neighborhood of Barkingham." I wrung his hand, mentally relinquishing my secretaryship while I thanked him for the invitation.

I put out my hand next to his daughter, and the dear friendly girl met the advance with the most charming readiness.