"Well," said Eustace, with a sigh of relief, as they walked down Park Lane, "I must candidly confess I hate 'At Homes."
"Oh, no," replied Otterburn, with his mind full of Victoria, "they're very jolly."
"Oh, for the freshness of youth!" sighed Gartney, looking at the bright face of his companion. "Guy, what is your opinion?"
"What about?" asked Errington, rousing himself from a fit of abstraction. "Mrs. Veilsturm?"
"We were talking about 'At Homes,'" said Eustace, equably, "but as you've mentioned Mrs. Veilsturm, what is your opinion on that lady?"
"She's very pleasant, but rather overpowering," was Errington's verdict.
"And that's her reward for devoting the whole afternoon to you--'Oh, the ingratitude of man!'"
"She's not a woman I would fall in love with," said Otterburn, with an air of having settled the question.
"Nor I," echoed Sir Guy, so very resolutely that Eustace knew at once he was doubtful of his own strength of will.
"Self righteous Pharisees, both," he said scoffingly, "you talk bravely, but if Cleopatra put forth her strength she could twist you both round her finger."