We entered Isabella's drawing-room, therefore, together, and a picture of brotherly love.
"Force of good example," explained Mr. Devar airily. "I saw Howard walking and walked with him."
There were assembled the house-party only, Devar and I being the guests of the evening. Isabella frowned as we entered together. I wondered why.
Devar attached himself to Alphonse Giraud, whom he led aside under pretext of examining a picture.
"Monsieur Giraud," he then said to him in French, "as a man of affairs I cannot but deplore your heedlessness."
He was a much older man than Giraud, and had besides the gift of uttering an impertinence as if under compulsion.
"But, my dear sir—" exclaimed Alphonse.
"Either you do not heed the loss of your fortune or you are blind."
"You mean that I cannot trust my friend," said Alphonse.
Mr. Devar spread out his hands in denial of any such meaning.