upon the instant hint of this look--"that doesn't convey
my meaning. Of course, our Chairman brings whom he pleases.
His friends--as a matter of course--are our friends.
What I should have said was that if this had been mentioned
beforehand to me, I should have explained that it wasn't
possible to discuss that particular business."

"But--pardon me"--said Lord Chaldon, in a quiet, very gentle,
yet insistent voice, which seemed now to recall to its
listeners the fact that sovereigns and chancellors had
in their day had attentive ears for its tones--"pardon me,
but why should it not be possible?"

Thorpe frowned doubtfully, and shifted his position
in his chair. "What could I say, if it were discussed?"
he made vague retort. "I'm merely one of the Directors.
You are our Chairman, but you see he hasn't found it of
any use to discuss it with you. There are hard and fast
rules about these things. They run their natural course.
You are not a business man, my Lord----"

"Oh, I think I may be called a 'business man,'"
interposed the nobleman, suavely. "They would tell
you so in Calcutta, I think, and in Cairo too.
When one considers it, I have transacted a great
deal of business--on the behalf of other people.
And if you will permit me--I do not impute indirection,
of course--but your remark seems to require a footnote.
It is true that I am Chairman of the Board on which you
are a Director--but it is not quite the whole truth.