‘He is insufferable. I don’t know that the man ever dined in the company of ladies before; did you remark that he did not open the door as we left the dinner-room? and if your brother had not come over, I should have had to open it for myself. I declare I’m not sure he stood up as we passed.’ ‘Oh yes; I saw him rise from his chair.’ ‘I’ll tell you what you did not see. You did not see him open his napkin at dinner. He stole his roll of bread very slyly from the folds, and then placed the napkin, carefully folded, beside him.’ ‘You seem to have observed him closely, Nina.’ ‘I did so, because I saw enough in his manner to excite suspicion of his class, and I want to know what Dick means by introducing him here.’ ‘Papa liked him; at least he said that after we left the room a good deal of his shyness wore off, and that he conversed pleasantly and well. Above all, he seems to know Ireland perfectly.’ ‘Indeed!’ said she, half disdainfully. ‘So much so that I was heartily sorry to leave the room when I heard them begin the topic; but I saw papa wished to have some talk with him, and I went.’ ‘They were gallant enough not to join us afterwards, though I think we waited tea till ten.’ ‘Till nigh eleven, Nina; so that I am sure they must have been interested in their conversation.’ ‘I hope the explanation excuses them.’ ‘I don’t know that they are aware they needed an apology. Perhaps they were affecting a little of that British insouciance you spoke of--’ ‘They had better not. It will sit most awkwardly on their Irish habits.’ ‘Some day or other I’ll give you a formal battle on this score, Nina, and I warn you you’ll not come so well out of it.’ ‘Whenever you like. I accept the challenge. Make this brilliant companion of your brother’s the type, and it will test your cleverness, I promise you. Do you even know his name?’ ‘Mr. Daniel, my brother called him; but I know nothing of his country or of his belongings.’ ‘Daniel is a Christian name, not a family name, is it not? We have scores of people like that--Tommasina, Riccardi, and such like--in Italy, but they mean nothing.’ ‘Our friend below-stairs looks as if _that_ was not his failing. I should say that he means a good deal.’ ‘Oh, I know you are laughing at my stupid phrase--no matter; you understand me, at all events. I don’t like that man.’ ‘Dick’s friends are not fortunate with you. I remember how unfavourably you judged of Mr. Atlee from his portrait.’ ‘Well, he looked rather better than his picture--less false, I mean; or perhaps it was that he had a certain levity of manner that carried off the perfidy.’ ‘What an amiable sort of levity!’ ‘You are too critical on me by half this evening,’ said Nina pettishly; and she arose and strolled out upon the leads.