I am afraid, Colonel Lukyn, it will be necessary even here to preserve strictly our unfortunate relative positions. [Lukyn bows.] Sit down. [Lukyn sits again. Posket takes up the charge sheet.] Colonel Lukyn! In addressing you now, I am speaking, not as a man, but, as an instrument of the law. As a man I may, or may not, be a weak, vicious, despicable creature.
Lukyn.
Certainly—of course.
Mr. Posket.
But, as a magistrate I am bound to say you fill me with pain and astonishment.
Lukyn.
Quite right—every man to his trade, go on, Posket.
Mr. Posket.
[Turning his chair to face Lukyn.] Alexander Lukyn—when I look at you—when I look at you—— [He attempts to put on his spectacles.] Ah—my nose. [To Lukyn.] I say, when I look at you, Alexander Lukyn, I confront a most mournful spectacle. A military officer, trained in the ways of discipline and smartness, now, in consequence of his own misdoings, lamentably bruised and battered, shamefully disfigured by plaster, with his apparel soiled and damaged—all terrible evidence of a conflict with that power of which I am the representative.