‘I am so glad to see you.  What an age it is since we met.’

‘Hardly since the Melmottes’ ball,’ said Hetta.

’Hardly indeed.  I have been here once since that.  What has brought Roger up to town?’

’I don’t know what it is.  Some mystery, I think.  Whenever there is a mystery I am always afraid that there is something wrong about Felix.  I do get so unhappy about Felix, Mr Montague.’

‘I saw him to-day in the city, at the Railway Board.’

’But Roger says the Railway Board is all a sham,’—­Paul could not keep himself from blushing as he heard this,—­’and that Felix should not be there.  And then there is something going on about that...