He retired, and I moved to bid my host good-night. He took my proffered hand, and held it in his, looking at me curiously the while. "I like you, Geoffrey Tempest;" he said--"And because I like you, and because I think there are the makings of something higher than mere earthy brute in you, I am going to make you what you may perhaps consider rather a singular proposition. It is this,--that if you don't like _me_, say so at once, and we will part now, before we have time to know anything more of each other, and I will endeavour not to cross your path again unless you seek me out. But if on the contrary, you do like me,--if you find something in my humour or turn of mind congenial to your own disposition, give me your promise that you will be my friend and comrade for a while, say for a few months at any rate. I can take you into the best society, and introduce you to the prettiest women in Europe as well as the most brilliant men. I know them all, and I believe I can be useful to you. But if there is the smallest aversion to me lurking in the depths of your nature"--here he paused,--then resumed with extraordinary solemnity--"in God's name give it full way and let me go,--because I swear to you in all sober earnest that I am not what I seem!" Strongly impressed by his strange look and stranger manner, I hesitated one moment,--and on that moment, had I but known it, hung my future. It was true,--I had felt a passing shadow of distrust and repulsion for this fascinating yet cynical man, and he seemed to have guessed it. But now every suspicion of him vanished from my mind, and I clasped his hand with renewed heartiness. "My dear fellow, your warning comes too late!" I said mirthfully--"Whatever you are, or whatever you choose to think you are, I find you most sympathetic to my disposition, and I consider myself most fortunate in knowing you. My old friend Carrington has indeed done me a good turn in bringing us together, and I assure you I shall be proud of your companionship. You seem to take a perverse delight in running yourself down!--but you know the old adage, 'the devil is not so black as he is painted'?" "And that is true!" he murmured dreamily--"Poor devil! His faults are no doubt much exaggerated by the clergy! And so we are to be friends?" "I hope so! I shall not be the first to break the compact!" His dark eyes rested upon me thoughtfully, yet there seemed to be a lurking smile in them as well. "Compact is a good word"--he said--"So,--a compact we will consider it. I meant to improve your material fortunes,--you can dispense with that aid now; but I think I can still be of service in pushing you on in society. And love--of course you will fall in love if you have not already done so,--have you?" "Not I!" I answered quickly, and with truth--"I have seen no woman yet who perfectly fulfils my notions of beauty." He burst out laughing violently.