“That’s flattering. But I’m not sure that I meant as a whole; I had a few particular instances in my mind. Bella Crestwick, for example; I’m curious to hear what you think of her. She seems quite favorably impressed with you.”
“She’s interesting,” Lisle replied. “A type that’s new to me; the latest development, isn’t it? Anyway, I like her—whatever the admission’s worth—though I must say that I found her rather startling at first. She’s honest, I think, and that counts for a good deal.”
“I suppose you’re not aware that she’s desirably rich?”
“I wasn’t. It’s not a fact of any moment to me. Besides, I’ve a suspicion that it’s Gladwyne’s scalp she’s after.”
Nasmyth nodded.
“You’re pretty shrewd. Though I’ve had much greater opportunities for observation, that idea has only lately occurred to me. Of course, in a general way, I shouldn’t discuss my acquaintances in this casual fashion, but as you are likely to see a good deal of us there are things you’d better know.”
“I’ll explain my point of view,” said Lisle, refilling his pipe. “You have seen something of the kind of life I’ve led. Half my time, I suppose, has been spent in primeval surroundings; the rest in contact with the latest efforts of a rather unfinished civilization. Well, what you have to show me here is vastly different. These old houses, your smoothed-down ways, are a revelation to me. The polish on some of your furniture has taken several hundred years to put on; that in my Victoria quarters smells of the factory, and the board walls of other hotels I’ve lived in rend into big cracks because they’re fresh from the mill. I’m full of interest; everything’s new to me. But so far my curiosity’s impersonal; I’m taking no hand in anything.”
His companion’s face grew grave.
“The trouble is that you may not be able to avoid it later. You’re here, and some part will probably be forced on you. However, as I said, I think you’re right about Bella.”
“But her money would be no great inducement to Gladwyne.”