"Don’t worry. A charlatan has to have a pretty thick skin—no doubt he’ll make use of all of us, and brag about his acquaintance. That’s his business, you know; he has to advertise himself." "I know; but every man has his own sense of dignity, and it must be somewhat mortifying—no self-respecting coal-heaver would accept such an invitation—his pride would keep him from it. "I don’t see how a man like that can have much pride. A coal-heaver has, after all, a dignified way of earning his living. This man hasn’t. His trade can’t permit him to be self-respecting. It’s more undignified than any honest labor would be. Why, he lives by trickery and flattery, and now he’s beginning to toady, too. Just look at the way he is after Clytie Payson, already." "Yes, I can’t see why she permits it, but she seems to be positively fascinated by him. Isn’t it strange how a fine girl like that is usually the most easily deceived? Did you see the way she was looking at him at supper? That told the story. Of course, you’d expect it of Mrs. Page, but not of Cly." "Don’t you believe it! Cly’s no fool—she sees through him. He’s interesting, you can’t deny that; and you know that a clever man can get about anything he wants in this town. There are too few of them to go round, and so they’re all spoiled. But Cly’s only playing him." "You don’t think she’s deliberately fooling him, do you?" "Nonsense! I know Cly as well as you do. She would always play fair enough, of course, but that doesn’t prevent her wanting to study a new specimen, especially one as attractive as Granthope. But it won’t last long. Cly’s too honest. It’s likely that he’ll go too far and take advantage of her—then she’ll call him down and dismiss him." "Do you think he imagines that he could really—" began the other. "Oh, _he’s_ no fool either! He knows perfectly well where he belongs, but he’s working his chances while they last." Granthope had been deliberately listening and, as the last words came to his ears, his emotion burst into flame. This, then, was how he was regarded by the new circle into which he had been admitted. He was a curiosity, handsome, but beyond the pale—even Clytie, it was probable, was willing to amuse herself with him. The illumination it gave him as to his status was vivid, its radiance scorched him.