“He was jeering, taunting, and aggravating, and I lost my temper.”
“And fainted.”
“Something very much like it, but enough upon this head; come, let me help you to a glass of wine, or perhaps you would prefer a little brandy?”
“That would be better, certainly.”
“Well help yourself, old man, and make yourself at home.”
Peace mixed himself some brandy and water, and also a glass of the same for his companion, who had by this time in a measure recovered from the effects of the scene which had taken place between herself and Mr. Algernon Sutherland.
“I suppose you have had a nice time of it since I saw you last?” observed Miss Stanbridge. “Dartmoor is not an inviting or cheerful place, they tell me.”
“I should think not, but I got on and made a good many friends. A great deal depends upon how a chap conducts himself, and I took pretty good care to be on the safe side. I gave them as little trouble as possible, and won the good opinion of the prison authorities; but, lor’ bless you, Lorry, you’ve no idea of the wretches to be found in that heart-breaking place—fellows without fear or shame—monsters, in fact, who are worse than wild beasts.”
“Oh, I dare say some of the very worst people it is possible to conceive find their way into prisons of that sort. Well, here’s better luck in the future, and, as that gentleman with the gingham umbrella said, ‘Always keep your weather eye open, my boy.’ But you have not told me how the old lady is?”
“I haven’t seen mother, or any of them as yet. Came straight to London, you know.”