'But I think it does feel it,' Rivers struck in; 'and very naturally and justly.'
'Then you think London society is really demoralised?' the Dictator spoke, turning on him rather suddenly.
'I think London society is just what is has always been,' Rivers promptly answered.
'Corrupt and cynical?'
'Well, no. I should rather say corrupt and candid.'
'If that is London society, that certainly is not English social life,' Lord Courtreeve declared emphatically, patting the table with his hand. 'It isn't even London social life. Come down to the East End, sir——'
'Oh, indeed, by Jove! I shall do nothing of the kind!' Rivers replied, as with a shudder. 'I think, of all the humbugs of London society, slumming is about the worst.'
'I was not speaking of that,' Lord Courtreeve said, with a slight flush on his mild face. 'Perhaps I do not think very differently from you about some of it—some of it—although, Heaven be praised, not about all; but what I mean and was going to say when I was interrupted'—and he looked with a certain modified air of reproach at Rivers—'what I was going to say when I was interrupted,' he repeated, as if to make sure that he was not going to be interrupted this time—'was, that if you would go down to the East End with me, I could show you in one day plenty of proofs that the heart of the English people is as sound and true as ever it was——'
'Very likely,' Rivers interposed saucily. 'I never said it wasn't.'
Lord Courtreevo gaped with astonishment.