He had stuck to his chum, and borne all the rebuffs which had rewarded him, patiently.

He had even made excuses for Dick, and tried to think that their friendship was as strong as ever.
But now he saw that all the time Dick had been falling away and cutting himself adrift.

This was why he left the "Select Sociables" the moment Heathcote joined them.

This was why he went to the levee as soon as he saw Heathcote was not going.

And this was why he had hidden out of the way this morning, for fear Heathcote should find out where he was going, and want to come too.
Georgie laughed bitterly to himself, as he made the discovery.