“You’re so sharp upon a cove that you don’t give a chap time to answer. Well, if you must know, I wanted to leave a message with the lady.”
“It’s a lie—an impudent lie; you wanted to do nothing of the sort. You think I cannot see through you, I suppose, you shameless woman.”
“Hold hard, guv’nor—one at a time, if you please,” cried Bill.
“You will be pleased to address me in a more respectful manner, my man. Do you hear?”
“Yes, I hear.”
“Now, madam,” said Bourne, turning to his wife, “will you kindly enlighten me on this subject? What is the reason for this man being here?”
“He is your acquaintance, not mine,” said Mrs. Bourne.
“Thank you for the compliment. He’s a robber, a thief, and a disgrace to a civilised community; and this is the man you choose to encourage here, is it?”
“I do not encourage him—I have told him to go away.”
“Yes, that’s quite true; she has told me to go away and not come here any more, and I have promised to do so.”