Let him alone, Hardinge." "Oh! _I'll_ let him alone," says Hardinge, with a gesture of disgust.
There is a pause.
"You know my sister, then ?" says the professor presently.
"Yes.

She is very charming.

How is it I have never seen you there ?" "At her house ?" "At her receptions ?" "I have no taste for that sort of thing, and no time.

Fashionable society bores me.

I go and see Gwen, on off days and early hours, when I am sure that I shall find her alone.