"No, we are down very deep. We are considering life. Life is simply acting a part. Why we act the parts we do is difficult to tell. Only I have noticed this: in life, as on the stage, those who elect to act the part of the good honest person are invariably dull. It is your villain who interests, and your villain who does the daring things--except in melodrama," he added quickly. "What an unfortunate man you must be, Mr. Leicester," she said. "Why?" "Because you have been so unfortunate in the society you have frequented." "Oh no, I have been singularly fortunate." "Yes?" "Yes, on the whole, I have found people wonderfully interesting." What did he mean by talking in this fashion? Olive Castlemaine tried to answer the question, but was baffled. She was sure he was not such a little man as to pride himself upon breaking away from recognised rules of life simply for the sake of appearing odd. She was about to lead the conversation into another direction when a servant came bearing a card. "Mr. Purvis," said John Castlemaine. "I wonder if he has had his dinner." Olive Castlemaine and Radford Leicester looked at each other, they hardly knew why, and each thought that the other looked uncomfortable. CHAPTER IV A DOUBLE PERSONALITY A few minutes later Purvis sat at the dinner-table. It appeared that he wished to see Mr. Castlemaine, and not knowing he would be engaged, had taken the liberty of calling. He seemed surprised at seeing Leicester there, but naturally said nothing. As for Leicester, his interest in the gathering seemed to evaporate at Purvis's entrance. He suddenly became rather moody, and when he spoke, addressed his remarks to Mr. Castlemaine rather than to his daughter. This evidently pleased Purvis, who became quite cheerful at Leicester's gloomy demeanour. Presently dinner came to an end, when Olive went away into the drawing-room, while the men adjourned to the library. Mr. Lowry seemed rather annoyed at Purvis's presence, but made the best of the situation by talking to Mr. Castlemaine in low tones. "You are abstemious to-night, Leicester," said Purvis. "Indeed!" "Yes, after all, you are not willing for her to know all the truth." Leicester did not reply. "Surely you are not going on with this business?" "Else why am I here?" "But you are to let her know your character in full." "No man's character is known in full." "But--but----" "Look here, Purvis, I shall play the game. See that you do," and he gave the young man a glance which made him slightly uncomfortable. "Of course--of course," he said nervously. "I don't like it. Still, there's no danger--that is, there will not be when she knows everything." "Which you will see to." "I shall tell her nothing of our conversation; as for the rest--well, there will be no need for me to tell her that." Leicester gave the other a look which was almost angry.