However, he had his uses—he walked with his wife when they went to the Kursaal, and left Conrad with Mrs. Adaile.
"How quiet you've become," she said.
"I am asking myself what to say to you."
"Do you find me so hard to talk to?"
"I find you so hard to convince."
"Why try to convince me?"
"Why did I come to Ostend?"
"Oh, that was a pretty tale," she said. "It wasn't true, really, was it?"
"You know it was true. I've looked forward to meeting you again for years. I can't tell you how fond I was of you. You're the only woman I've ever cared for."
"You were a child."