"Well, sir, I am bound to obey you, though the subject is intensely painful to me."
"How much more painful must it be to me when I have heard that which leads me to doubt the justice of an act which condemned my son to a life of privation!"
"What you have heard from Mr. Parkinson to-night, sir?"
"Yes, from Mr. Parkinson. Inglefield, I remember that you spoke of the lady who won Kingsley's love as an artful, designing woman. If I am exaggerating, correct me."
"I certainly said little in her favor," replied Mark Inglefield, sullenly and ungraciously. There could have been no more unwelcome topic than this, and it was broached at a time when all his attention and skill were required to ward off impending ruin. It proved that he was a man of infinite resource that two such blows dealt at once and so unexpectedly did not completely confound him.
"You must be a great deal more explicit with me, Inglefield," said Mr. Manners. "You said nothing in her favor."
"Well, sir, if you will have it so."
Mr. Manners frowned.
"It is not as I would have it; it is or is not the truth."
"I have no intention of denying it;" and here came a cunning stroke. "Consider, sir. Is it not natural that I should be to some extent unbalanced by what has transpired?"