Though he looked older than his years, he had by no means the appearance of being beyond the ripeness of his mental vigour.
'It pleases me to meet you, Mr Milvain,' he said, as he stretched out his bony hand.

'Your name reminds me of a paper in The Wayside a month or two ago, which you will perhaps allow a veteran to say was not ill done.' 'I am grateful to you for noticing it,' replied Jasper.
There was positively a touch of visible warmth upon his cheek.

The allusion had come so unexpectedly that it caused him keen pleasure.
Mr Yule seated himself awkwardly, crossed his legs, and began to stroke the back of his left hand, which lay on his knee.

He seemed to have nothing more to say at present, and allowed Miss Harrow and the girls to support conversation.

Jasper listened with a smile for a minute or two, then he addressed the veteran.'Have you seen The Study this week, Mr Yule ?' 'Yes.' 'Did you notice that it contains a very favourable review of a novel which was tremendously abused in the same columns three weeks ago ?' Mr Yule started, but Jasper could perceive at once that his emotion was not disagreeable.
'You don't say so.' 'Yes.