"Thank you for the small mercy, at all events," said Elgar, with a laugh.
"What do you intend to do?" Mallard proceeded to ask, changing his position.
"I can make no plans yet. I have pretended to only too often. You have no objection to my remaining here?"
"You must take your own course—with the understanding to which we have come."
"I wish I could make you look more cheerful, Mallard. I owe it to you, for you have given me more gladness than I can utter."
"You can do it."
"How?"
"See her to-morrow morning, and then go back to England, and make yourself some kind of reputable existence."
"Not yet. That is asking too much. Not so soon."
"As you please. We understand each other on the main point."