At luncheon for instance: “Peter dear, it would be a nice thing for you and Clare to go to that Private View at the Carfax this afternoon. You've nothing to do, Clare, have you?”
Peter knew that Mrs. Rossiter had already ascertained that he was engaged. He knew also that Clare had had no thought of Peter's company before but that now she would very speedily feel herself injured.
“I'm afraid—” Peter would begin.
“Peter's too engaged to take you, Clare dear.”
“I dare say Jerry will come—” this from Clare.
“Ah! yes, Mr. Cardillac is always ready to take any trouble, Peter.”
“If you'd let me know earlier, Clare, that you wanted me.”
Mrs. Rossiter. “Oh! don't put yourself out, Peter. It would never do to break an engagement. Only it seems such a long time since you and Clare—”
Peter. “We'll go to-morrow afternoon, Clare.”
Clare. “You're so gloomy when you do come, Peter. It's like going out with a ghost.”