“‘Well, you met her,’ I said; ‘I’m positive. I introduced you to her myself, and she confided to me afterwards that she thought you a most charming man.’
“‘No—did she?’ he remarked, evidently softening in his feelings towards Smythe; ‘and did I like ’er?’
“‘Well, to tell the truth,’ I answered, ‘I don’t think you did. You looked intensely bored.’
“‘The Juggins,’ I heard him mutter to himself, and then he said aloud: ‘D’yer think I shall get a chance o’ seein’ ’er agen, when I’m—when I’m Smythe?’
“‘Of course,’ I said, ‘I’ll take you round myself. By the bye,’ I added, jumping up and looking on the mantelpiece, ‘I’ve got a card for a Cinderella at their place—something to do with a birthday. Will you be Smythe on November the twentieth?’
“‘Ye—as,’ he replied; ‘oh, yas—bound to be by then.’
“‘Very well, then,’ I said, ‘I’ll call round for you at the Albany, and we’ll go together.’
“He rose and stood smoothing his hat with his sleeve. ‘Fust time I’ve ever looked for’ard to bein’ that hanimated corpse, Smythe,’ he said slowly. ‘Blowed if I don’t try to ’urry it up—’pon my sivey I will.’
“‘He’ll be no good to you till the twentieth,’ I reminded him. ‘And,’ I added, as I stood up to ring the bell, ‘you’re sure it’s a genuine case this time. You won’t be going back to ’Liza?’
“‘Oh, don’t talk ’bout ’Liza in the same breath with Hedith,’ he replied, ‘it sounds like sacrilege.’