"Have you met his companion? I understand that he is not a man of my nephew's stamp."
Millicent smiled. "Hardly so, from your point of view."
"Does that mean that yours is not the same as mine?"
"I have had to earn my living, which changes one's outlook; perhaps I'd better not say enlarges it. However, you shall judge. Mr. Harding is a traveller for an American paint factory and had to begin work at an age when your nephew was at Eton, but I think him a very fine type. He's serious, courteous, and sanguine, and seems to have a strong confidence in his partner."
"Ah!" said Challoner; "that is not so strange. The Blakes have a way of inspiring trust and liking. It's a gift of theirs."
"Your nephew undoubtedly has it. He uses it unconsciously, but I think that those who trust him are not deceived."
Challoner regarded her with a curious expression. "After all," he said, "that may be true."
Then Greythorpe came up in search of Millicent, and when she went away with him Challoner saw Mrs. Chudleigh approaching. Obeying her sign he followed her to a seat in the recess in the hall.
"Mr. Greythorpe came down yesterday," she said. "I suppose you have already had a talk with him."
"Last night. As you anticipated, he asked my opinion about the African matter. Several names have been submitted; trustworthy men."