"We ought at any rate to remember, oughtn't we?
that we should have Mrs.Brook against us." His companion faltered but an instant.

"Ah that's another thing I know.
But it's also exactly why.

Why I want Nanda away." "I see, I see." The response had been prompt, yet Mr.Longdon seemed suddenly to show that he suspected the superficial.

"Unless it's with Mrs.Brook you're in love." Then on his friend's taking the idea with a mere headshake of negation, a repudiation that might even have astonished by its own lack of surprise, "Or unless Mrs.Brook's in love with you," he amended.
Vanderbank had for this any decent gaiety.

"Ah that of course may perfectly be!" "But IS it?
That's the question." He continued light.