Anthony Hope

“ CHAPTER V A SECOND EDITION “Don’t you think it’s an interesting sort of title?” inquired Lady Deane of Mr. Laing.
Laing was always a little uneasy in her presence. He felt not only that she was analyzing him, but that the results of the analysis seemed to her to be a very small residuum, of solid matter. Besides, he had been told that she had described him as a “commonplace young man,” a thing nobody could be expected to like. ”

“ I shall read it all right, you know.”
“I think you ought,” said she, rising, and leaving him to wonder whether she had “meant anything.”
He gave himself a little shake, as though to escape from the atmosphere of seriousness which she had diffused about him, and looked round. ”

“ Why does she want to get back to England? Perhaps if I delay her as much as I can, she’ll tell me. Hanged if I don’t! Anyhow I’m glad to see old Charlie getting convalescent.”
The next morning the whole party left Cannes by the early train. The Bellairs, the Deanes, and Charlie Ellerton travelled together. Laing announced his intention of following by the afternoon train.
“Oh,” said Lady Deane, “you’ll get to Paris sooner than we do.” Dora looked gloomy; so did Charlie, after a momentary, hastily smothered smile. ”