“Leave us together, Temple, and tell Marion to send me in some tea. You 'll have tea, too, won't you, Mr. Cutbill?”
“No, thank you; I 'll ask for wine and water later. At present I want a little talk with you. Our noble friend has got it hot and heavy,” said he, as Temple withdrew, leaving Bramleigh and himself together; “but it's nothing to what will come out when Norton brings it before the House. I suppose there hasn't been such a scandal for years as he'll make of it.”
“I declare, Mr. Cutbill, as long as the gentleman continues my guest, I 'd rather avoid than invite any discussion of his antecedents,” said Bramleigh, pompously.
“All very fine, if you could stop the world from talking of them.”
“My son has just been with me, and I have said to him, sir, as I have now repeated to you, that it is a theme I will not enter upon.”
“You won't, won't you?”
“No, sir, I will not.”
“The more fool you, then, that's all.”
“What, sir, am I to be told this to my face, under my own roof? Can you presume to address these words to me?”
“I meant nothing offensive. You needn't look like a turkey-cock. All the gobble-gobble in the world would n't frighten me. I came in here in a friendly spirit. I was handsomely treated in this house, and I 'd like to make a return for it; that's why I 'm here, Bramleigh.”