"Why does he choose this hotel of all others?" I asked in a dissatisfied tone, although in my secret heart I was overjoyed.
"It's the best, isn't it? Haven't you come here?"
"My Lord Blackadder has, but that's another pair of shoes. There's some difference between him and a beggarly half-pay Colonel who will very likely have to black the boots to work out his bill. They know how to charge here."
"The Colonel, I take it, can pay his way as well as most people. Anyhow, he's coming to stop here."
"For any time?"
"Likely enough. He said something about going through the course, taking the baths, and among the rest asked me to find out the best doctor."
"That'll mean a lengthened stay; three weeks at least."
"Well, why shouldn't he? He's his own master."
"Then he's finished with that foolish business about the lady; had enough of it, I suppose; burnt his fingers and done no earthly good."