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"OH I say, I want you to stop a little," Henry St. George said to him at eleven o'clock the night he dined with the head of the profession. The company-none of it indeed _of_ the profession-had been numerous and was taking its leave; our young man, after bidding good-night to his hostess, had put out his hand in farewell to the master of the house. Besides drawing from the latter the protest I have cited this movement provoked a further priceless word about their chance now to have a talk, their going into his room, his having still everything to say. Paul Overt was all delight at this kindness; nevertheless he mentioned in weak jocose qualification the bare fact that he had promised to go to another place which was at a considerable distance.
"Well then you'll break your promise, that's all. You quite awful humbug! " St. George added in a tone that confirmed our young man's ease.