Barring ton nodded.
“And that it is a matter little short of a million is in dispute.”
He nodded again twice.
“And they say, too,—of course, on very insufficient knowledge,—that if you would have abated your demands once on a time, you might readily have got a hundred thousand pounds, or even more.”
“That's not impossible,” muttered Barrington.
“But that, now—” he stammered for an instant, and then stopped.
“But now? Go on.”
“Sure, sir, they can know nothing about it; it's just idle talk, and no more.”
“Go on, and tell me what they say now,” said Barrington, with a strong force on the last word.
“They say you 'll be beaten, sir,” said he, with an effort.