Laurence's expression softens. "Is it so strange to think he might wish his new acquaintance to think well of him?"

He turns away from the path of destruction – which, after all, harmed no one but a few trees. "But I chide unnecessarily; if he is a little vain he has certainly earned the right to it, and a more loyal and pleasant companion one could hardly wish for. And he excels where I do not; I quite forget myself. I understand you have invited Temeraire and myself to your home; that is very kind, sir. Temeraire speaks of his wish to travel there often, but I am afraid we have been kept quite busy in Peking. Pray accept my apologies for our tardiness."