'Oh!' said Drake, turning with some interest to his companion. 'Does that account for _A Man of Influence_?' 'Yes,' replied Conway reluctantly, 'I fancy it does.' 'I wondered what set him to writing.' 'He was at the Bar when he met her. I believe she persuaded him to write the book and give up the Law.' 'She is undertaking a pretty heavy responsibility.' Conway looked at his friend and laughed. 'I'm afraid you won't find that she takes that view, nor indeed do I see why she should. Mallinson was doing no good--well, not much anyway--at the Bar. He has scored by following her advice. So if she ever had any responsibility, which I don't admit, for there was no compulsion on him to obey, his luck has already wiped it out.' 'I suppose the white-haired man's her father,' said Drake. 'Yes. There's another sister, but she's at school in Brussels.' 'How did you come across them?' 'Mallinson and I met them one summer when we were taking a holiday at Sark.' Drake caught the eye of a man who was passing the end of his row of stalls towards the saloon, and was beckoned out. 'I will join you after the interval,' he said, turning to Conway, and he saw that his companion was bowing to Miss Le Mesurier. Miss Le Mesurier in her box noticed Drake's movement, and she asked Mallinson, 'Who is that speaking to Mr. Conway?' Mallinson put up his glasses and looked. Clarice read recognition in a lift of eyebrows, and guessed from his hesitation to answer who it was that he recognised. 'Well, who is it?' 'Where?' asked Mallinson, assuming an air of perplexity. 'Where you were looking,' said she quietly. 'It's Stephen Drake,' interposed Fielding, and 'Hulloa!' he added in a voice of surprise as he observed the man whom Drake joined. 'Drake! Stephen Drake!' exclaimed Mr. Le Mesurier, leaning forward hurriedly. 'Point him out to me, Fielding.' The latter obeyed, and Mr. Le Mesurier watched Drake until he disappeared through the doorway, with what seemed to Mallinson a singular intentness. The father's manner waked him to a suspicion that he might possibly have mistaken the daughter's motive in seeking Drake's acquaintance. Was it merely a whim, a fancy, strengthened to the point of activity by the sight of his name in print? Or was it something more? Was there some personal connection between Drake and the Le Mesuriers of which the former was in some way ignorant? He was still pondering the question when Clarice spoke to him. 'So that was the bourgeois, was it?' she said, bending forwards and almost whispering the words. Mallinson flushed. 'Was it?' he asked. 'I can't see. I am rather short-sighted.' 'I begin to think you are.' The sentence was spoken with an ironic sympathy which deepened the flush upon Mallinson's cheek. A knock at the door offered him escape; he rose and admitted Conway. Conway was received with politeness by Mr. Le Mesurier, with cordiality by his daughter.