He stuck his stick into his overcoat-pocket so that it stood upright, and wheeled sharply.
"Good-by," he said, and added at the door, "I suppose you think this makes a difference in your prospects." "Mrs.Farron has asked me to come to dinner to-night." Lanley wheeled back again.
"What ?" he said.
"Yes, she almost urged me, though I didn't need urging." Lanley didn't answer, but presently went out in silence.

He was experiencing the extreme loneliness that follows being more royalist than the king..