Cricker came a little nearer, lowering his voice again.
'It's a very peculiar case,' he said proudly.
'Of course; it always is.'
'You see, she's frightfully pretty, on the stage, and married! One of the most awkward positions a person can be in. Mind you, I'm sorry for her. I thought of consulting you about something if you'll give me a minute or two, old chap.'
He took out a letter-case.
'I don't mean Ill show you this—oh no, I can't show it—it isn't compromising.'
'Of course not. No-one really likes to show a really lukewarm love letter. Besides it would hardly be—'
Cricker put the case back.
My dear chap! I wasn't going to show it to you—I shouldn't dream of such a thing—to anybody; but I was just going to read you out a sentence from which you can form an opinion of my predicament. It's no good mincing matters, old boy, the woman is crazy mad about me—there you've got it straight—in a nutshell.—Crazy!'
'She certainly can't be very sane,' returned Aylmer.