"It will come better," he answered, "from a third person, whom I expect
here every minute. He is in possession of all the facts--and he is
better able to state them than I am."

"Who is the person?"

"My friend, Delamayn."

"Your lawyer?"

"Yes--the junior partner in the firm of Delamayn, Hawke, and Delamayn.
Do you know him?"

"I am acquainted with him. His wife's family were friends of mine before
he married. I don't like him."

"You're rather hard to please to-day! Delamayn is a rising man, if ever
there was one yet. A man with a career before him, and with courage
enough to pursue it. He is going to leave the Firm, and try his luck at
the Bar. Every body says he will do great things. What's your objection
to him?"

"I have no objection whatever. We meet with people occasionally whom
we dislike without knowing why. Without knowing why, I dislike Mr.
Delamayn."

"Whatever you do you must put up with him this evening. He will be here
directly."