" "You needn't be polite to me," said Crowther with his slow smile.

She would have welcomed Edmund Crowther at any time.

Only that morning that he had parted from Crowther for the first time in six months?

" "Evidently a cad," commented Crowther in his quiet way.

" He spoke with a faint smile that moved Crowther to deep compassion.

Piers at once seconded the invitation, and Crowther without haste or hesitation accepted it.