Mr. Longdon looked promptly satisfied and reassured. "You probably heard
me address her myself."

"I did, but you've your rights, and that wouldn't excuse me. The only
thing is that I go to see her every Sunday."

Mr. Longdon pondered and then, a little to Vanderbank's surprise, at any
rate to his deeper amusement, candidly asked: "Only Fernanda? No other
lady?"

"Oh yes, several other ladies."

Mr. Longdon appeared to hear this with pleasure. "You're quite right. We
don't make enough of Sunday at Beccles."

"Oh we make plenty of it in London!" Vanderbank said. "And I think it's
rather in my interest I should mention that Mrs. Brookenham calls ME--"

His visitor covered him now with an attention that just operated as a
check. "By your Christian name?"

Before Vanderbank could in any degree attenuate "What IS your Christian
name?" Mr. Longdon asked.

Vanderbank felt of a sudden almost guilty--as if his answer could only
impute extravagance to the lady. "My Christian name"--he blushed it out
--"is Gustavus."

His friend took a droll conscious leap. "And she calls you Gussy?"