"We're going to drink luck to the biggest thing Sir Stephen has ever done; you'll join us?
Oh, come, we can't take a refusal! Dash it all! You're in the swim, Orme, if you haven't taken any active part in it." Stafford glanced at Mr.Falconer, and noticed a grim smile pass over his face.

If these exultant and flushed money-spinners only guessed how active a part he had taken, how amazed they would be! A wave of bitterness swept over him.

At such a moment men, especially young men, become reckless; the strain is too great, and they fly to the nearest thing for relief.
He turned back to the buffet, and the butler and the couple of footmen opened several bottles of champagne--none of the men knew or cared how many; several others of the financial group joined the party; the wine went round rapidly; they were all talking and laughing except Stafford, who remained silent and grave and moody for some little time; then he too began to talk and laugh with the others, and his face grew flushed and his manner excited.
Falconer, who stood a little apart, apparently drinking with the others, but really with care and moderation, watched him under half-lowered lids; and presently he moved round to where Stafford leant against the table with his champagne-glass in his hand, and touching him on the arm, said: "I hear them enquiring for you in the ball-room, Stafford." It was the first time he had called Stafford by his Christian name, and it struck home, as Falconer had intended it should.

Stafford set his glass down and looked round as a man does when the wine is creeping up to his head, and he is startled by an unexpected voice.
"All right--thanks!" he said.
He made his way through the group, who were too engrossed and excited to notice his desertion and went into the ball-room.

As he did so, his father entered by an opposite door, and seeing him, came round to him, and taking Stafford's hand that hung at his side, pressed it significantly.
"I have told them!" he said.