He can feel it. Instinct, intuition, or a sense of what Gilgamesh is. The presence of the present. Gilgamesh knows him; Gilgamesh is right. And with a push from Gilgamesh, Dorian could get it.

But Dorian is not a real magus. For what real magus would look away from an opportunity for power and instead turn to a friend, squeeze her hand and clasp it so that she can't walk away?

This is hurting her. He wants to trust Gilgamesh. He often does. But trust him with Hermione? Not after what happened before.

(Even so, he doesn't force his Servant to release his hand.)

"I'd prefer to learn from you." With a deliberate choice, he just slaps it down on the table: "And I have a suspicion that Gilgamesh's presence isn't helping you reach for your happy thoughts."

The elephant might as well be announced.