"Hard lines!"
Mr Lintorn waited until the second course was served before he spoke again.
"It took you a long time to see her home?"
"I don't understand you."
"I sat up for you until nearly two, and you weren't in then."
"It was very good of you to sit up for me, I'm sure."
Mr Lintorn, adjusting his eyeglasses, looked his friend fixedly in the face.
"Davison, if you will allow me, on this occasion only, to play the part of mentor, you will have as little to do with the de Fontanes as you conveniently can.
"What the deuce do you mean?"
"Nothing; only a word to the wise--"