"He dines out in London sometimes; and sometimes gives dinners too."
"What! at taverns?"
"Yes; at Blackwall, or Greenwich, or some of those places. I have been at his dinners, and he never spares anything."
"He doesn't feel his years, then? He's not infirm? no rheumatism or anything of that sort—strong on his legs, eh?"
"As strong as you are, sir."
"He's ten years my senior, you know."
"Yes, I know he is. He's not nearly so young a man as you are; but I really think he is as strong. He's a wonderful man for his years, certainly."
"I'm delighted to hear it," said Sir Lionel. A keen judge of character, however, scrutinizing the colonel's face closely, would not then have read much warm delight therein depicted.
"You rather like him on the whole, then—eh, George?"
"Well; I really think I do. I am sure I ought to like him. But—"