"I expect so--if Kitty wishes it."

"That's sufficient command for most of those to whom she gives the
privilege of friendship, isn't it?"

There was a quiet ring of sincerity in his voice as he spoke of Kitty,
and Nan's heart warmed towards him.

"Yes," she assented eagerly. "One can't say 'no' to her. But I don't
care for it--playing in a drawing-room after dinner."

"No." Again that quick comprehension of his. "The chosen few and the
chosen moment are what you like."

"How do you know?" she asked impulsively.

"Because I think the 'how' and the 'where' of things influence you
enormously."

"Don't they influence you, too?" she demanded.

"Oh, they count--decidedly. But I'm not a woman, nor an artiste, so
I'm not so much at the mercy of my temperament."

The man's insight was extraordinarily keen, but touched with a little
insouciant tenderness that preserved it from being critical in any
hostile sense. Nan heaved a small sigh of contentment at finding
herself in such an atmosphere.