"A terrible outrage it was."
"Outrage! I should think so. There's nothing so bad as a clerical bully. What was I to do with him? Of course he was the stronger. I don't pretend to be a Samson. One doesn't expect that kind of thing among gentlemen?"
"No, indeed."
"I wish I could have him somewhere with a pair of foils with the buttons off. His black coat shouldn't save his intestines. I don't
know what the devil the country is come to, when such a fellow as that is admitted into people's houses."
"You won't meet him here, Brotherton."
"I wish I might. I think I'd manage to be even with him before he got away. Who's the Baroness you have got?"
"I don't know much about her. My daughter Adelaide,—Mrs. Houghton, you know,—has brought her down. There's been some row among the women up in London. This is one of the prophets, and I think she is brought here to spite Lady Selina Protest who has taken an American prophetess by the hand. She won't annoy you, I hope?"
"Not in the least. I like strange wild beasts. And so that is Captain De Baron, of whom I have heard?"
"That is my nephew, Jack. He has a small fortune of his own, which he is spending fast. As long as it lasts one has to be civil to him."