"And to invite Don Manuel I suppose," sneered Herrick.
"No," replied Joyce simply. He either did not notice the sneer, or wished it to appear that he had not perceived it. "Manuel dines with Pentland Corn to-night."
"I hear he is going to stay with him."
"Yes, Corn and he have taken to one another."
"Curious they should, and not creditable to Corn," said Herrick and went inside, leaving Joyce staring after him.
The little man frowned, and his face assumed a most unpleasant expression. "I wonder if he knows anything?" he thought biting his fingers. "He is quite different to what he used to be. I don't care. I can hold my own," and with this defiant declaration he marched away holding his head in the air. Certainly Dr. Jim was not wrong in suspecting Robin to be other than he seemed.
"Then you won't come to dinner?" said Ida when Herrick presented himself. "What a pity! Bess _will_ be disappointed."
"I think not," replied Herrick dryly. "I understand Joyce is coming. But that is neither here nor there, I shall tell Stephen that you want him and so shall be left alone in the house. Will you send over Sidney to dine with me. I want him particularly."
"But he is only a boy. He will bore you."
"On the contrary, I find him a very interesting study. You know I promised to take him in hand. Well, I want to have a talk with him."