'
'Who is Henley? what is Henley?' demanded Maulevrier, pretending
ignorance.
'I believe Maulevrier has lost so much money backing, his college boat
on previous occasions that he is glad to run away from the regatta this
year,' said Hammond.
'I have a sister there,' replied his friend. 'That's an all-sufficient
explanation. When a fellow's women-kind take to going to races and
regattas it is high time for _him_ to stop away.'
'Have you seen Lesbia lately?' asked his grandmother.
'About ten days ago.'
'And did she seem happy?'
Maulevrier shrugged his shoulders.
'She was vacillating between the refusal or the acceptance of a million
of money and four or five fine houses. I don't know whether that
condition of mind means happiness. I should call it an intermediate
state.'
'Why do you make silly jokes about serious questions? Do you think
Lesbia means to accept this Mr. Smithson?'
'All London thinks so.'
'And is he a good man?'
'Good for a hundred thousand pounds at half an hour's notice.'
'Is he worthy of your sister?'
Maulevrier paused, looked at his grandmother with a curious expression,
and then replied--
'I think he is--quite.
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