"There's a very fine brand of water on the landing, and there's the remainder of a roll, extra sec, in the cupboard, I believe; I finished the whisky last night. We can go and have some dinner at the Suisse. Madame is désolée; she's asked after you most tenderly." "Good old madame! And her moustache?" "More luxuriant." There was a pause, in which Humphrey considered how best to impart his tidings. The other shifted his feet, and contemplated the smoke-dried wall--the only view attainable from the window. Kent stared at him. It was displayed to him clearly for the first time that his marriage would mean severance from Turquand and the Restaurant Suisse and all that had been his life hitherto, and that Turquand might feel it more sorely than he expressed. He was sorry for Turquand. He lounged over to the mantelpiece and dipped his hand in the familiar tobacco-jar, and filled a pipe before he spoke. "Well," he said, with an elaborate effort to sound careless, "I suppose you'll hardly be astonished, old chap--I'm engaged." CHAPTER V Turquand did not answer immediately. "No," he said at last; "I'm not astonished. Nothing could astonish me, excepting good news. When is the event to take place?" "That's not settled. Soon.... We shall always be pals, Turk?" "I'll come and see you sometimes--oh yes. Father consented?" "Things are quite smooth all round." "H'mph!" He looked hard at the wall and pulled his beard. "You said it would happen, didn't you? I didn't see a glimmer of a possibility myself." "Love's blind, you know." "You said, too, it--er--it wouldn't be altogether a wise step. You'll change your mind about that one day, Turk." "Hope so," said Turquand. "Can't to-night." "You still believe I'm making a mistake?" "What need is there to discuss it now?" "Why shouldn't we?" "Why _should_ we? Why argue with a man whether the ice will bear after he has made a hole in it?" "We shan't be extravagant, and I shall work like blazes. I've a plot simmering already." "Happy ending this time?" "I don't quite see it, to be consistent--no." "You must manage it. They like happy endings, consistent or not." "Damn it, I mean to be true! I won't sell my birthright for a third edition! I shall work like blazes, and we shall live quite quietly somewhere in a little house----" "That's impossible," said Turquand. "You may live in a little house, or you may live quietly, but you can't do both things at the same time." "In the suburbs--in Streatham, probably. Her people live in Streatham, and of course she would like to be near them."