He turned sharply and resolutely to go to Morley's, and collided with Mr. Dolbiac, who, strangely enough, was standing immediately behind him, and gazing up the stairs, too.
'Ah, my bold buccaneer!' said Mr. Dolbiac familiarly. 'Digested those marrons glacés? I've fairly caught you out this time, haven't I?'
Henry stared at him, startled, and blushed a deep crimson.
'You don't remember me. You've forgotten me,' said Mr. Dolbiac.
'It isn't Cousin Tom?' Henry guessed.
'Oh, isn't it?' said Mr. Dolbiac. 'That's just what it is.'
Henry shook his hand generously. 'I'm awfully glad to see you,' he began, and then, feeling that he must be a man of the world: 'Come and have a drink. Are you stopping here?'
The episode of Mrs. Ashton Portway's was, then, simply one of Cousin Tom's jokes, and he accepted it as such without the least demur or ill-will.
'It was you who sent that funny telegram, wasn't it?' he asked Cousin Tom.