This fact, while it irritated me, also relieved me. It rendered my position as the friend of both men more tenable than it could have been had Vernon confided in me. Now, if at any time Deeming were suspicious of me, I should be able to confront him with the complacency of a complete innocence, whereas hitherto I had more than once experienced the discomfort of—I hope I may say it without offence—an honourable man who is forced by circumstance to practise a mild deceit. This was a relief. Nevertheless, I did feel both irritation and surprise at Vernon’s attitude towards me. It seemed to throw a chill over our friendship. If he had never spoken to me of Deeming and his black spaniel, the matter would not have troubled me, but a confidence begun and then abruptly discontinued surely implies that one’s friendship is doubted. I could no longer feel quite at ease when I was with Vernon. A dark and cringing shadow separated us. Vernon moved into his dreadful house two days after I had first seen it. I naturally expected that, being a rich man, he would immediately begin to tear down draperies, to get in new furniture, to lay down carpets that did not recall the vegetable-monger’s, to turn out the frogs and the beetles, and to do away with the paper umbrellas. I was mistaken. He left things much as they were. “I don’t suppose I shall be here long,” he said. “I thought you had the house on a year’s lease?” I rejoined. “The owner wouldn’t let it for a shorter time. But I don’t expect to be here for twelve months, or anything like it. I may be out of it in a month. Who knows?” He glanced at me as if he expected me to find some hidden meaning in his words, some meaning which he did not choose to put before me. “I’m not even going to be bothered with a staff of servants,” he continued. “I shall only have my man, Cragg, and one woman who can do all that is necessary for me.” “Really! What does Cragg think of it?” I ventured. “Oh, Cragg has been with me for years and thoroughly understands me.” I knew that; I knew, too, that Cragg was a rare being, a confidential servant who was absolutely faithful. But, still, Cragg was unaccustomed to such a peculiar kind of “roughing it” as was now in prospect. “I hope you’ll be comfortable,” I said, rather lamely. “Oh, yes. Of course, I don’t intend to entertain here. I shall imitate Deeming. I shall exercise all my hospitality in restaurants. The Englishman’s house is more than ever his castle since the restaurant came into fashion.” And he laughed. “But perhaps, now I’m next door, Deeming may ask me in sometimes in the evening,” he said. “We ought to be neighbourly.”