Sir Francis, whose vanity had been charmed by the letter which he kept in his pocket, had already made up his mind to part with Dick. But Dick's words as now spoken left him no alternative. It was a question with him whether he could not so part with him as to inflict some further punishment. "Why, Dick," he said smiling, "you have broken out quite in a new place."
"I know nothing about that."
"You must have been with the Bishop and taken a lesson in preaching. I never heard you come out so strong before."
"I wish you'd heard what some of those men at Perth said about you."
"And how you answered them as my friend."
"As far as I remember I didn't say much myself. What I did say certainly was not in your favour. But I was hardest on that sweet young lady with the Italian name. You won't mind that because you and she are two, now."
"Can you tell me, Ross, how long you have been eating my bread?"
"I suppose I could."
"Or how much you have drank of my wine?"
"I haven't made a calculation of that nature. It isn't usual."