Alice, when she saw him, would have retreated had it been possible, for she had learned to dislike him greatly, and was, indeed, almost afraid of him; but she could not do so without making her flight too conspicuous.
"Do you intend to prolong your stay here, Miss Vavasor ?" said Mr Bott, taking advantage of the first moment at which she looked up from a letter which she was reading.
"For a few more days, I think," said Alice.
"Ah--I'm glad of that.

Mr Palliser has pressed me so much to remain till he goes to the Duke's, that I cannot get away sooner.

As I am an unmarried man myself, I can employ my time as well in one place as in another;--at this time of the year at least." "You must find that very convenient," said Alice.
"Yes, it is convenient.

You see in my position,--Parliamentary position, I mean,--I am obliged, as a public man, to act in concert with others.

A public man can be of no service unless he is prepared to do that.