Three hours is all Charles needs to create a good impression with a number of people, arrange several meetings for the coming weeks and gain a few invitations to some select events. So he's looking fairly pleased with himself the next time he sees Irene, this time accompanied with a half-full champagne glass, and seats himself slightly on the edge of his former table.

Once Irene shows up, he's full of sly mischief and smiles, before pressing his lips together and pressing on with-- "I have something to confess to you before we go on."

Not that he seems anxious about what he's about to say; there's a certain positive buzz about his person.