“May I join you?” asked Sidmouth Vane, who thought he was conferring a privilege. “I’m interested in what you are discussing.”
“Oh, it’s you, is it? Have you been listening?”
“No, but everybody’s discussing it. Now, I agree with you, Lord Mapledurham. It’s a put-up job.”
“I expect you thought it was a put-up job when they baptised you, didn’t you?” inquired the Marquis.
“And looked for poison in your bottle?” added Blodwell.
Vane gently waved his hand, as if to scatter these clumsy sarcasms. “A man may not be sixty and yet not be an ass,” he languidly observed. “Waiter, some salmon, and a pint of 44.”
“And may be sixty and yet be an ass, eh?” said the Marquis, chuckling.
“Among ourselves, why do you suppose he let her off?” asked Vane.
The Marquis pushed back his chair. “My young friend, you are too wise. Something will happen to you.”