Finally, the food was finished and we took our glasses of port and ensconced ourselves in the chairs in front of the fire. We sat, sipping and silent, for a number of minutes before Henry spoke. 'What do you think is the true nature of a man, Hastie?'

This seemed similar to topics of which we had spoken many times, but the suddenness of the question took me by surprise. 'What do you mean by the true nature, Henry? Do you mean as intellectual creatures or the base animal underneath?'

This stirred him, and he threw me a sharp look. 'Is that what you think? That we are all animals underneath? That is interesting.'

I stammered at this sudden flare of anger, 'I- I didn't say that, I just wanted to understand where your question was leading. The true nature of a man must surely be in how he reacts to others. If you wish to know a man, look to his friends.'

Jekyll's face softened with this, and he emitted a low chuckle. 'And so, that is what I do, I look to my friends.' I joined him in his humour and we sat quietly again, sipping our wine.