“To the lady, sir,” Mr. Jack Maldon answered, laughing. But appearing to remark that Mr. Wickfield went on with his dinner in the same sedate, immovable manner, and that there was no hope of making him relax a muscle of his face, he added: “However, I have said what I came to say, and, with another apology for this intrusion, I may take myself off. Of course I shall observe your directions, in considering the matter as one to be arranged between you and me solely, and not to be referred to, up at the Doctor’s.”

“Have you dined?” asked Mr. Wickfield, with a motion of his hand towards the table.

“Thank’ee. I am going to dine,” said Mr. Maldon, “with my cousin Annie. Goodbye!”