“What! are you actually serious?”
“I say that such a move might not be the worst step to an amicable settlement. In admitting the assailant to see all the worth and value of the fortress, it would also show him the resources for defence, and he might readily compute what poor chances were his against such odds.”
“Still, I doubt if I could bring myself to consent to it. There is a positive indignity in making any concession to such a palpable imposture.”
“Not palpable till proven. The most unlikely cases have now and then pushed some of our ablest men to upset. Attack can always choose its own time, its own ground, and is master of almost every condition of the combat.”
“I declare, Sedley, if this man had retained your services to make a good bargain for him, he could scarcely have selected a more able agent.”
“You could not more highly compliment the zeal I am exercising in your service.”
“Well, I take it I must leave the whole thing in your hands. I shall not prolong my stay in town. I wanted to do something in the city, but I find these late crashes in the banks have spread such terror and apprehension, that nobody will advance a guinea on anything. There is an admirable opening just now—coal.”
“In Egypt?”
“No, in Ireland.”
“Ah, in Ireland? That's very different. You surely cannot expect capital will take that channel?”