'Of all the men I know, you are the best adapted, by nature and by position, for society.

Do you know I have been frequently amazed that you should have held it at arm's length so long!' 'I have had my reasons, Carker.

I have been alone, and indifferent to it.

But you have great social qualifications yourself, and are the more likely to have been surprised.' 'Oh! I!' returned the other, with ready self-disparagement.

'It's quite another matter in the case of a man like me.