“Interesting pallor, my dear friend, interesting pallor. Nevertheless, I am glad that Jim is on his way.” He met O’Hara’s eyes as he looked up, and his lips quivered irrepressibly.

“You think me very vain, Miles?”

“Is it a pose of yours, John? Is it Sir Anthony Ferndale, Bart?”

“No. I believe it is myself. You see, when one has but one’s self to live for and think for⁠—one makes the most of one’s self! Hence my vanity. Take the mirror away, please⁠—the sight of my countenance offends me!”

“Sure, ye are free with your orders, me lord!” said O’Hara, putting the glass down on the table. “And, while I think of it⁠—what might your name be now?”

“John Carr⁠—a slip of the tongue on my part, stopped in time. I hear my mentor returning⁠—and⁠—Miles!”

“Well?”