"On the contrary, the place and the people are most interesting to me. I am not, as you may fancy, much of a society man. I go out but little. I am not greatly sought after, Mr. Hanbury; and I do not think you can consider it unreasonable in me to wish to see this thing out." He was speaking suavely and pleasantly now, and when one was not looking at him there appeared nothing in his tone or manner to suggest disagreeableness, unless the heavy thick breathing, half wheeze, half gasp. "But there is nothing to be seen out. There is no climax to these At homes. People come and chat and perhaps drink a cup of tea and go away. That is all. By the way, the servant has just set down some tea by Miss Ashton; perhaps you would like a cup." "I have had no breakfast. I have eaten nothing to-day." "I am sorry for that. I am greatly afraid they will not give you anything very substantial here; nothing but a cup of tea and a biscuit or wafery slice of bread. But let us get some. Half a loaf is better than no bread." He forced a smile, as pleasant a one as he could command. "I shall be most grateful for a cup of tea from Miss Ashton's hands," said the dwarf graciously. "He can," thought Hanbury, as they moved towards the other window, where Miss Ashton was now standing over a tiny inlaid table on which rested the tea equipage, "be quite human when he likes." Aloud he said, "I hope you will be more guarded this time?" "I am always guarded--and armed. I shall be glad to take the useful olive from Pallas-Athena." "And the olive bough too, I hope," said Hanbury under an impulse of generosity. "It was a dove not a goddess brought the olive bough." "But the dove was only a messenger." "The olive bough was only a symbol; the olive itself was substantive good." "But is not the symbol of peace better than an earthly meal?" "Answer your own case out of your own mouth. I have never eaten to-day. I have never eaten yet in all my life. You are filled with divine luxuries. Go you your gait, I go mine. Tell me, Mr. Hanbury, would you rather have the spirit of my promise to you or the flesh of my promise?" "I do not know exactly what you mean." "Would you rather trust my word or see my dead body? If I were dead I could not speak." "Trust your word beyond all doubt," said Hanbury with a perplexed and uneasy smile. "Hah! I believe you believe what you say. But I am afraid your shoulders are not broad enough, your back is not strong enough for the faith you profess in me. I don't suppose you'd go to the extremity of murdering me, but at this moment you would not be sorry if I fell dead at your feet. Hah!" "Pray do not say such a horrible thing. I assure you it is not true. Indeed you wrong me. I do not want the miserable thing talked about----" "Sir, are you referring to me? I am the only miserable thing here." "You are incorrigible." "You are mistaken, sir. I am as plastic as wax; but like wax, if the fingers that touch me are cold I become brittle."