He withdrew into his shell, and we smoked without speaking until I began to be sorry for snubbing him.
"I didn't mean to be rude," I said apologetically. "But she's a nice girl; I may see her to-night for all I know to the contrary, and this coupling of names.... You see my point?"
The Seraph suddenly developed a nervous, excited earnestness.
"Let me give you a word of advice. If you're going to propose to her—oh, all right; if X. is going to propose to her, he'd better do it now—before the crash comes. There's going to be a very big crash; she's going down under it. If you—if X. proposed now, she might be got out of the way before it's too late. You—X. won't like to see the woman he's going to marry...."
"X. marries her then?" I asked in polite incredulity. "Oh, he should certainly lose no time."
"She may not accept you at once."
"Come and get your coat, Seraph."
"But she will later."
"Come and get your coat," I repeated.
"Ah—you don't believe me—well...."