"Depression! Yes, you would. Having everything on earth you want, and being thoroughly spoilt, like all men of the present day, you would naturally have low spirits."
"Ah, I dare say you don't believe me. But I assure you, Mrs. Crofton, that under all my outward misery I generally have an aching heart.... How lovely Lady Chetwode's looking!"
"Lady Chetwode," said Aunt William loyally, "is a most brilliant woman. Her sister is a beautiful girl, and her brother Savile is doing well at Eton. His last report——"
"Do you know, I'm terribly frightened of Savile," said Jasmyn. "He's such a man of the world that I feel positively crude beside him."
Before the end of the evening, Ridokanaki took an opportunity to ask if Woodville would dine with him.
"I want to have a little talk with you," he said. "I have an idea—it may be perfectly wrong—that what I have to say may interest you."
Woodville accepted; surprised at his rival's cordiality.
"At Willis's, then, at eight, Mr. Woodville?"
"At eight. Thanks very much."