I didn't hear you come in."
"Not at all! Sit, please."
Releasing his visitor's two arms, which he had lightly pinioned at the
elbows by way of embrace, M. Obenreizer also sat, remarking, with a
smile: "You are well? So glad!" and touching his elbows again.
"I don't know," said Vendale, after exchange of salutations, "whether you
may yet have heard of me from your House at Neuchatel?"
"Ah, yes!"
"In connection with Wilding and Co.?"
"Ah, surely!"
"Is it not odd that I should come to you, in London here, as one of the
Firm of Wilding and Co., to pay the Firm's respects?"
"Not at all! What did I always observe when we were on the mountains? We
call them vast; but the world is so little. So little is the world, that
one cannot keep away from persons. There are so few persons in the
world, that they continually cross and re-cross. So very little is the
world, that one cannot get rid of a person. Not," touching his elbows
again, with an ingratiatory smile, "that one would desire to get rid of
you."
"I hope not, M. Obenreizer."
"Please call me, in your country, Mr. I call myself so, for I love your
country. If I _could_ be English! But I am born. And you? Though
descended from so fine a family, you have had the condescension to come
into trade? Stop though. Wines? Is it trade in England or profession?
Not fine art?"
"Mr. Obenreizer," returned Vendale, somewhat out of countenance, "I was
but a silly young fellow, just of age, when I first had the pleasure of
travelling with you, and when you and I and Mademoiselle your niece--who
is well?"
"Thank you.
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