Fledgeby must have conducted it on his side with immense art, for no appearance of uttering one syllable had escaped him.

“A personal discussion, Sophronia, my love? What discussion? Fledgeby, I am jealous. What discussion, Fledgeby?”

“Shall I tell him, Mr. Fledgeby?” asked Mrs. Lammle.

Trying to look as if he knew anything about it, Fascination replied, “Yes, tell him.”

“We were discussing then,” said Mrs. Lammle, “if you must know, Alfred, whether Mr. Fledgeby was in his usual flow of spirits.”