'It would make a man like that lazy.' 'It's not laziness,' exclaimed Clarice indignantly.

She was filled with pity for Mallinson, and experienced, too, a sort of reflex pity for herself as the inappropriate instrument of his suffering.

She was consequently altogether tuned to tenderness for him.

'It's not laziness at all.

It's--it's--' She cast about for a laudatory explanation.
'Well, what ?' Fielding pressed genially.
'It's the artistic temperament,' she exclaimed triumphantly.
Fielding laughed at her vindication, and Miss Le Mesurier walked across the room and said good-bye to Mrs.Willoughby.Conway rose at the same time, and the pair left the house together.
'What a liar that man is!' said Fielding.
'What man ?' asked Mrs.Willoughby.
'Why, Mallinson.