How did you get on with him?"
"Admirably. He condescended to do something which he called shaking
hands with me."
"He is the greatest old dust out," said Lord Chiltern,
disrespectfully. "Did he take any notice of Violet?"
"Not that I observed."
"He ought not to be allowed into the same room with her." After that
there was a short pause, and Phineas felt some hesitation in speaking
of Miss Effingham to Lord Chiltern. "And how do you get on with her?"
asked Lord Chiltern. Here was a question for a man to answer. The
question was so hard to be answered, that Phineas did not at first
make any attempt to answer it. "You know exactly the ground that I
stand on," continued Lord Chiltern. "She has refused me three times.
Have you been more fortunate?"
Lord Chiltern, as he asked his question, looked full into Finn's face
in a manner that was irresistible. His look was not one of anger nor
even of pride. It was not, indeed, without a strong dash of fun. But
such as it was it showed Phineas that Lord Chiltern intended to have
an answer. "No," said he at last, "I have not been more fortunate."
"Perhaps you have changed your mind," said his host.
"No;--I have not changed my mind," said Phineas, quickly.
"How stands it then? Come;--let us be honest to each other.
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