I trust that your pleasure is my first consideration in life.' Alice was, to speak vulgarly, practising on Mr.Keene.He was her first visitor since she had entered upon rule, and she had a double satisfaction in subduing him with airs and graces.

She did not trouble to reflect that under the circumstances he might think her rather heartless, and indeed hypocrisy was not one of her failings.

Her _naivete_ constituted such charm as she possessed; in the absence of any deep qualities it might be deemed a virtue, for it was inconsistent with serious deception.
'I suppose you mean you'd really much rather I stayed here ?' Keene eyed her with observation.

He himself had slight depth for a man doomed to live by his wits, and he was under the disadvantage of really feeling something of what he said.

He was not a rascal by predilection; merely driven that way by the forces which in our social state abundantly make for rascality.
'Miss Mutimer,' he replied, with a stage sigh, 'why do you tempt my weakness?
I am on my honour; I am endeavouring to earn your good opinion.