His mind was not on what he said. A letter had come from her, a thing that had never occurred before. She had apparently withdrawn from the bank the price of the motor-car in ten-pound notes. There was something he couldn’t read properly, about a hat-box, and tissue paper, and about being nervous because there was a family from Dunmanway in the house, people she’d never laid eyes on till a week ago. He’d torn the whole rigmarole up, envelope and all, and gone specially to the kitchen to burn the pieces in the range since there was no other fire in August.

‘I had not heard about a bridge,’ the Bishop repeated. ‘We neither of us had heard a word about a bridge.’

Villiers Hadnett, regarding the surface of the table in front of him, spoke to Mrs Camier of his journey from Athlone. Finding this tedious, Mrs Camier turned to Finnamore, who was on her other side. ‘You’re in the law, Mr Balt?’ she said.

‘Yes, I am in the law,’ Finnamore replied, I have been a solicitor all my life.’

‘And is that agreeable?’

Finnamore gave the question his consideration. He knew about the Camiers. They had run through a great deal of money. Camier, before this present marriage, had been sued for breach of promise. Mrs Camier was pretty and presented an air of flightiness. She was said to pride herself on being able to draw people out.

‘I do not complain,’ Finnamore said. ‘I believe I never have. On the other hand, I know no other work.’

‘Now, though, if you had a choice, Mr Balt,’ pursued Mrs Camier in a kittenish manner, her eyelids blinking rapidly, if you could choose from all the world’s work, what would you say?’

Finnamore considered that question carefully also. He pondered, chewing a fragment of vegetable, before replying. He thought to smile, but did not do so, fearing Mrs Camier might interpret this as a lack of serious attention paid to her query.

‘I believe I would run the same course,’ he finally pronounced. ‘I cannot see myself tempted elsewhere.’

‘Not travel and adventure? Not the dash and thrill of commerce?’

‘I think not. I am familiar with the law. I know nothing of commercial matters.’