'He never says very much about anybody.'

'But a word would let me know how the land lies. You know me
well enough to be aware that I am the last man to be curious as
to what others think of me. Indeed I do not care about it as
much as a man should do. I am utterly indifferent to the opinion
of the world at large, and would never object to the company of a
pleasant person because the pleasant person abused me behind my
back. What I value is the pleasantness of the man, and not the
liking or disliking for myself. But here the dearest aim of my
life is concerned, and I might be guided either this way or that,
or to my great advantage, by knowing whether I stand well or ill
with him.'

'You have dined three times within the last three months in
Manchester Square, and I don't know any other man,--certainly no
other young man,--who has had such strong proof of intimacy from
my father.'

'Yes, and I know my advantages. But I have been there as your
friend, not his.'

'He doesn't care twopence about my friends. I wanted to give
Charlie Skate a dinner, but my father wouldn't have him at any
price.'

'Charlie Skate is out at elbows, and bets at billiards. I am
respectable,--or at any rate your father thinks so. Your father
is more anxious about you than you are aware of, and wishes to