“Can her eyes glisten out of politeness?” inquired Talboys, with a subdued sneer.
“Why not?”
“They could shed tears, perhaps, for the same motive?” said Talboys, with crushing irony.
“Well! Hum! I'd back them at four to seven.”
Mr. Talboys was silent, and his manner showed that he was a little mortified at a subject turning to joke which he had commenced seriously. He must stop this annoyance. He said severely, “It is time to come to an understanding with you.”
At these words, and, above all, at their solemn tone, the senior pricked his ears and prepared his social diplomacy.
“I have visited very frequently at your house, Mr. Fountain.”
“Never without being welcome, my dear sir.”
“You have, I think, divined one reason of my very frequent visits here.”
“I have not been vain enough to attribute them entirely to my own attractions.”