“Tell him, with my compliments, Sir Within Wardle will do worse than all these.”
“You mean about that girl?”
“Yes.”
“That’s what Grog says, but I dare not quote him to the governor. Tell me, would you have any objection to my telling him that this was your opinion?”
“I have not the honour of being known to your father, and a mere surmise of mine would carry no weight with it.”
“I don’t know that. I fancy he rather took a liking to you last night. What did you do at whist?”
“Lost a few half-crowns.”
“Ah, that accounts for it all! He said at breakfast this morning, that though you held only indifferent cards, you played with perfect composure, and it was quite a pleasure to play with you. With a few nights’ ill luck you’ll stand high in his favour, I promise you.”
“It is a cheap friendship after all,” said Grenfell, laughing.
“Yes. You may have it for five pounds, but I doubt greatly if you could re-sell it for as many shillings.”