He knew, or at least he with certainty guessed, that Leek had been a rascal.

Still, he had had a sort of grim, cynical affection for Leek.

And the thought that Leek would never again shave him, nor tell him in accents that brooked no delay that his hair must be cut, nor register his luggage and secure his seat on long-distance expresses, filled him with very real melancholy.

He did not feel sorry for Leek, nor say to himself "Poor Leek!" Nobody who had had the advantage of Leek's acquaintance would have said "Poor Leek!" For Leek's greatest speciality had always been the speciality of looking after Leek, and wherever Leek might be it was a surety that Leek's interests would not suffer.

Therefore Priam Farll's pity was mainly self-centred.
And though his dignity had been considerably damaged during the final moments at Selwood Terrace, there was matter for congratulation.