"For shooting here, how much have you ever contributed?"
"When I shoot I contribute nothing. All the world understands that."
"How much money do you owe me?"
"I owe you nothing that I've ever promised to pay."
"And now you think it a sign of a fine gentleman to go and talk openly at a club about matters which you have heard from me in confidence! I don't. I think it a very—"
"A very what, Sir Francis? I have not done as you allege. But you were going to observe a very—; what was it?" It must be here explained that Dick Ross was not a man who feared many things; but that Sir Francis feared much. Dick had little to lose by a row, whereas the Baronet would be injured. The Baronet therefore declined to fill in the epithet which he had omitted. He knew from former experience what Dick would and what he would not bear.
"I don't choose to descend to Billingsgate," said Sir Francis. "I have my own ideas as to your conduct."
"Very gentlemanlike, isn't it?" said Dick, with a smile, meaning thereby to impute it to Sir Francis as cowardice that he was unwilling to say the reverse.
"But, under all the circumstances, it will be quite as well that you should leave the Lodge. You must feel that yourself."
"Oh; quite so. I am delighted to think that I shall be able to leave without having had any unpleasant words. Perhaps to-morrow will do?"