“I had better say, I think, at once, Mr. Vandeleur, that nothing shall tempt me to take any part in Mr. Arden's affairs.”
Van's mild blue eyes looked on him wonderingly.
“You could be of so much use, Mr. Longcluse!”
“I don't desire to be of any.”
“But—but that may be, I think it must, in consequence of the unhappy estrangement.”
He had been conning over phrases on his way, and thought that a pretty one.
“A very happy estrangement, on the contrary, for the man who is straight and true, and who is by it relieved of a great—mistake.”
“I should be so extremely happy,” said Van lingeringly, “if I were instrumental in inducing both parties to shake hands.”
“I don't desire it.”
“But, surely, if Richard Arden were the first to offer——”