“He is what is called a dangerous fellow.”
“Very dangerous.”
“Vindictive.”
“To the last. Never abandons a pursuit, they tell me.”
“But we live in an age of civilization, Twining. Men of his stamp can't take the law in their own hands.”
“I 'm afraid that is exactly the very thing they do, my Lord; they contrive always to be in the wrong, and consequently have everything their own way;” and so Mr. Twining rubbed his hands, slapped his legs, and laughed away very pleasantly.
“You are rather a Job's comforter, Twining,” said Beecher, tartly.
“Not very like Job, your Lordship; very little resemblance, I must say, my Lord! Much more occasion for pride than patience,—peerage and a fine property!”
“I 'm sure I never coveted it; I can frankly say I never desired prosperity at the price of—the price of—By the way, Twining, why not compromise this affair? I don't see why a handsome sum—I'm quite willing it should be handsome—would n't put all straight. A clever friend might be able to arrange the whole thing. Don't you agree with me?”
“Perfectly, my Lord; quite convinced you have taken the correct view.”