“I say, Vane,” said George, leaning forward, “did she seem——”

“Miss Pocklington, or the other girl?”

“Oh, damn the other girl! Did she, Vane, old boy?”

“Yes, she did, a little, George, old boy.”

“I’m a fool,” said George.

“Oh, I don’t know,” said Vane, tolerantly. “I’m always a fool myself about these things.”

“I must go and see them to-morrow. No, I can’t go to-morrow; I have to go out of town.”

“Ah! where?”

“Liverpool, on business.”