At the same time he desired to rehearse the part of central figure poised between two great devotions which was to be his agreeable _role_ in the future.

For Michael would of course live with them after his marriage with Fay.

And if there were any ebullitions of jealousy between Fay and Michael--Wentworth dwelt with complacency on the possibility--he felt competent to deal with them with tact and magnanimity, reassuring each in turn as to their equal share in his affections.
Michael at any rate showed no disinclination to meet Fay again, and even evinced something verging on a desire to see Magdalen.

And presently Wentworth arranged to drive him over to luncheon at Priesthope.
Throughout life he had always liked to settle, even in the most trivial matters, what Michael should do, with whom he should associate.

The situation was not new, nor was there any novelty in Michael's pliability.
But when the day came Wentworth arrived without his brother, and evidently out of temper.