But the coroner's jury was respectful, and the rest of society never so much as hinted at the possibility that Guy had not tried his best to keep his father alive.
Among the letters of sympathy, the young fellow received a note from Lady Cantourne, whose acquaintance he had successfully renewed, and in due course he called at her house in Vere Gardens to express somewhat lamely his gratitude.
Her ladyship was at home, and Guy Oscard was ushered into her presence.
He looked round the room, with a half-suppressed gleam of searching which was not overlooked by Millicent Chyne's aunt.
"It is very good of you to call," she said, "so soon after your poor father's death.

You must have had a great deal of trouble and worry.
Millicent and I have often talked of you, and sympathised with you.

She is out at the moment, but I expect her back almost at once.

Will you sit down ?" "Thanks," he said; and after he had drawn forward a chair he repeated the word vaguely and comprehensively--"Thanks"-- as if to cover as many demands for gratitude as she could make.
"I knew your father very well," continued the lady, "when we were young.
Great things were expected of him.

Perhaps he expected them himself.
That may have accounted for a tone of pessimism that always seemed to pervade his life.