'I wish you would knock,' he said angrily; 'you talk of quiet;
you tell me to rest, and think; and here you come creeping and
spying on me as if I was a child in a nursery. I refuse to be
watched and guarded and peeped on like this.' He knew that his
hands were trembling, that he could not keep his eyes fixed, that
his voice was nearly inarticulate.

Sheila drew in her lips. 'I have merely come to tell you, Arthur,
that Mr Bethany has brought Mr Danton in to supper. He agrees
with me it really would be advisable to take such a very old and
prudent and practical friend into our confidence. You do nothing
I ask of you. I simply cannot bear the burden of this incessant
anxiety. Look, now, what your night walk has done for you! You
look positively at death's door.'

'What--what an instinct you have for the right word,' said
Lawford softly. 'And Danton, of all people in the world! It was
surely rather a curious, a thoughtless choice. Has he had
supper?'

'Why do you ask?'

'He won't believe: too--bloated.'

'I think,' said Sheila indignantly, 'it is hardly fair to speak
of a very old and a very true friend of mine in such--well,
vulgar terms as that. Besides, Arthur, as for believing--without
in the least desiring to hurt your feelings--I must candidly warn
you, some people won't.'