"But you used to be so fond of arguing, Mr. Malster," Mrs. Tribe suggested with a malicious smile.
Denis grew hot about the ears, and the Incandescent Gerald, who had a forgiving heart, frowned reprovingly at his wife.
"Yes, but one gets frightfully sick of hearing one's country and its institutions constantly run down," said Denis, casting a malevolent glance at Lord Henry. "My country, right or wrong, is what I say."
"Hear, hear!" cried Miss Mallowcoid. "That's very true."
"Yes, and very immoral," Lord Henry murmured. "It is the motto of decadence. It means that the moment the Union Jack is unfurled, the voice of criticism, the intellect, and the first principles of justice and honest self-analysis, must be stifled."
"Hullo! there's a streak of blue in the sky, and there's 'The Fastness' en bloc!" cried Denis, very much relieved at the sight of his master's car bearing all Mrs. Delarayne's household.
Everybody went on to the terrace to meet them, and one by one, the ladies, with Stephen in the rear, came up the steps in their mackintoshes.
Lord Henry noticed how amply Leonetta's frame filled her smart rain-coat, and yet how sylph-like she appeared by the side of the rather more heavy Jewess.
"Let's go for a walk!" she cried, as she greeted the men.
"Yes!" sang Cleopatra, Vanessa, Stephen, and Guy in chorus.