ir, opened the door, and the men, left to themselves, dropped their
hypocritical mask of resigned regret as the handle turned on Mrs.
Langton's train, and settled down with something very like relief.

Mark, of course, could not share this, though it is to be feared that
even he found some consolation in his cigarette; the sound of Mabel's
voice had not ceased to ring in his ears when her father took him by
the arm and led him up to be introduced to the professor, who was
standing before a picture. The man of science seemed at first a
little astonished at having an ordinary young man presented to him in
this way, but when his host explained that Mark was the author of the
book of which the professor had been speaking so highly, his manner
changed, and he overwhelmed him with his courtly compliments, while
the other guests gathered gradually nearer, envying the fortunate
object of so marked a distinction.

But the object himself was horribly uncomfortable; for it appeared
that the professor in reading 'Illusion' had been greatly struck by a
brilliant simile drawn from some recent scientific discoveries with
which he had had some connection, and had even discovered in some
passages what he pronounced to be the germ of a striking theory that
had already suggested itself to his own brain, and he was consequently
very anxious to find out exactly what was in Mark's mind when he
wrote. Before Mark knew where he was, he found himself let in for a
scientific discussion with one of the leading authorities on the
subject, while nearly everyone was listening with interest for his
explanation. His forehead grew damp and cold with the horror of the
situation--he almost lost his head, for he knew very little about
science. Thanks, however, to his recent industry, he kept some
recollection of the passages in question, and without any clear idea
of what he was going to say, plunged desperately into a long and
complicated explanation. He talked the wildest nonsense, but with such
confidence that everyone in the room but the professor was impressed.
Mark had the mortification of seeing, as the great man heard him out
with a quiet dry smile, and a look in his grey eyes which he did not
at all like, that he was found out. But the professor only said at the
end, 'Well, that's very interesting, Mr. Ashburn, very interesting
indeed--you have given me a really considerable insight into
your--ah--mental process.' And for the rest of the evening