He came forward and stood in the doorway. 'Why not? Have I ever failed?'
'Lady John,' said Vida, turning, 'this is one of our allies. He is good enough to squire me through the rabble from time to time.'
'Well,' said Lady John, advancing quite graciously, 'I think it's very handsome of you after what she said to-day about men.'
'I've no great opinion of most men myself,' said the young gentleman. 'I might add, or of most women.'
'Oh!' Lady John laughed. 'At any rate I shall go away relieved to think that Miss Levering's plain speaking hasn't alienated all masculine regard.'
'Why should it?' he said.
'That's right.' Lady John metaphorically patted him on the back. 'Don't believe all she says in the heat of propaganda.'
'I do believe all she says. But I'm not cast down.'
'Not when she says——'
'Was there never,' he made bold to interrupt, 'a misogynist of my sex who ended by deciding to make an exception?'