But he does." Grandcourt stared at him.

And suddenly the latent fear that had been torturing him for the last two weeks died out utterly: this man would never need watching to prevent any attempt at self-destruction; this man before him was not of that caste.

His self-centred absorption was of a totally different nature.
He said, very red in the face, but with a voice well modulated and even: "I think I've made a good deal of an ass of myself.

I think I may safely be cast for that role in future.

Most people, including yourself, think I'm fitted for it; and most people, and yourself, are right.