Lady Charlotte's blunt “Oh!” when he entered her room and bowed upon the announcement of his name, was caused by an instantaneous perception and refection that it would be prudent to keep her grand-daughter Philippa, aged between seventeen and eighteen, out of his way.
“You are friend of Mr. Abner's, are you?”
He was not disconcerted. He replied, in an assured and pleasant voice, “I have hardly the pretension to be called a friend, madam.”
“Are you a Jew?”
Her abruptness knocked something like a laugh almost out of him, but he restrained the signs of it.
“I am not.”
“You wouldn't be ashamed to tell me you were one if you were?”
“Not at all.”
“You like the Jews?”
“Those I know I like.”