“You can see for yourself there is no harm intended.” “I tell you I will remain neutral,” said Crispin for the third time, also rising from his recumbent attitude. “I will neither help you nor thwart you; so you can do as you please, but I don’t think you’ll succeed in your schemes.” “Don’t you?” replied Caliphronas provokingly, as they walked up to the house together. “Well, that remains to be seen. If a man of my capacity”— “Cunning.” “Well, cunning if you like. If a man of my cunning cannot circumvent this dull-headed”— “Cautious.” “Oh, is he cautious? Well, I will make this cautious Englishman do as I wish. But here we are nearly at the house, and I wait to know on what footing we stand.” “You are an acquaintance of mine. I met you at Athens. Talk of the best-known Athenians as our mutual friends.” “And you will say nothing about Melnos?” “No.” “Nor about Justinian?” “No.” “Nor Alcibiades?” “I tell you I won’t say a word about any one or anything,” said Crispin impatiently. “You can carry out your plan if you like. It does no harm to Roylands as far as I can see; but if I find you playing double, my friend, I’ll put an end to your games.” “I always play fair when it is to my benefit to do so,” retorted the Greek, with an unpleasant smile. “What a pity it is not always to your benefit to do so!” said the poet cruelly; “you would then be an honest man.” “I am what I am,” answered Caliphronas sullenly; “had I created myself, I might have made an improvement.” “Not in your appearance,” observed Crispin, looking at the splendid beauty of the man beside him. “I suppose you are as vain as ever?” “Possibly; but I never let my vanity interfere with my business.” “Ah, there is some sense in that splendid head of yours, but precious little.” “Quite enough to accomplish my wishes.” “I doubt it. However, here we are, and here is Mr. Roylands.” It was indeed Maurice, who, arrayed in evening dress, advanced to meet them, and greeted Caliphronas with a smile. “I had quite given you up, Count,” he said, shaking hands with the Greek; “your luggage arrived, but not you, and the dinner is now due. However, as neither of you gentlemen is ready, I have just put it off for half an hour, so you will just have time to dress. You know Mr. Crispin, Count?” “Yes; you must blame him for my unpunctuality,” said Caliphronas gracefully. “I walked over here, and sent on my luggage by your groom. In the avenue I met Mr. Creespeen, and we talked of old times.” “Ah, you know one another!” cried Maurice, flashing a keen glance at Crispin, which that gentleman sustained without blenching. “Oh yes,” answered the poet calmly; “I was afraid I did not know the name of Count Caliphronas, but my memory played me false. I know it and him very well. We met at Athens.”