said Traddles, ‘of course. Yours lives in London, I think.’

‘What did you say?’

‘She — excuse me — Miss D., you know,’ said Traddles, colouring in his great delicacy, ‘lives in London, I believe?’

‘Oh yes. Near London.’

‘Mine, perhaps you recollect,’ said Traddles, with a serious look, ‘lives down in Devonshire — one of ten.

Consequently, I am not so much engaged as you — in that sense.’

‘I wonder you can bear,’ I returned, ‘to see her so seldom.’

‘Hah!’ said Traddles, thoughtfully.