"Oh see here!" But he was highly amused. "Well, what then?" he enquired
as if to humour her.

"Why the particular person must never fail. We must manage it for you
somehow."

He threw back his head, laughing out; he was really exhilarated. "Oh
yes, somehow!"

"Well, I think we each do--don't we?--in one little way and another and
according to our limited lights. I'm pleased at any rate, for myself,
that you are; for I assure you I've done my best."

"You do better than any one!" He had struck a match for another
cigarette, and the flame lighted an instant his responsive finished face,
magnifying into a pleasant grimace the kindness with which he paid her
this tribute. "You're awfully clever, you know; cleverer, cleverer,
cleverer--!" He had appeared on the point of making some tremendous
statement; then suddenly, puffing his cigarette and shifting almost with
violence on his seat, he let it altogether fall.




CHAPTER XVII


In spite of this drop, if not just by reason of it, she felt as if Lady
Bradeen, all but named out, had popped straight up; and she practically
betrayed her consciousness by waiting a little before she rejoined: