'I begin to think you are.'

The sentence was spoken with an ironic sympathy which deepened the flush
upon Mallinson's cheek. A knock at the door offered him escape; he rose
and admitted Conway. Conway was received with politeness by Mr. Le
Mesurier, with cordiality by his daughter.

'I have Drake with me,' said Conway. 'I came to ask permission, since you
invited him to Beaufort Gardens, to introduce him after the next act.'

Mr. Le Mesurier started up in his chair.

'Did you ask him to the house?' he asked Clarice abruptly.

'I asked Mr. Mallinson to bring him,' she replied; and then, with all
the appearance of a penitent anxiety, 'Why? Oughtn't I to have done so?'
she asked.

Mr. Le Mesurier cast a suspicious glance at his daughter.

'I am so sorry,' she said; 'I didn't know that--'

'Oh well,' interrupted Mr. Le Mesurier hurriedly, 'there's no reason that
I know of why you shouldn't have asked him, except that it's surely a
trifle unusual, isn't it? You don't know him from Adam.'

'But I assure you, Mr. Le Mesurier,' interposed Conway, 'there's nothing
to be said against Drake.'