"I am sure she wouldn't come if you did.

Besides--" "Oh, as to that," said Vivian Caryl, with a grim smile, "I think, with all deference to your opinion, that the odds would be in my favour.
However, let us dine first, if you prefer it." Mrs.Abingdon did prefer it, and said so hastily.

She seemed to have a morbid dread of a rupture between Doris Fielding and her _fiance_, a feeling with which Caryl quite obviously had no sympathy.

There was nothing very remarkable about the man save this somewhat supercilious demeanour which had caused Vera to marvel many times at Doris's choice.
They went in to dinner without further discussion.

Caryl sat on Vera's left, and amazed her by his utter unconcern regarding the absentee.