“It's a large hand, however, and easy to read. 'My old enemy the larynx—more in fault than even the bronchial tubes—is again in arms—'”
“Oh, do spare us his anatomical disquisition, George. Skip him down to where he proposes for me.”
“But it is what he does not. You are not mentioned in the whole of it. It is all about church matters. It is an explanation of why every one has withdrawn his subscription and left the establishment, and why he alone is faithful and willing to contribute, even to the extent of five pounds additional—”
“This is too heartless by half; the man has treated me shamefully.”
“I protest I think so too,” said Nelly, with a mock seriousness; “he relies upon your brother's gown for his protection.”
“Shall I have him out? But, by the way, why do you call me Mr. Bramleigh? Wasn't I Augustus—or rather Gusty—when we met last?”
“I don't think so; so well as I remember, I treated you with great respect dashed with a little bit of awe. You and your elder sister were always 'personages' to me.”
“I cannot understand that. I can easily imagine Temple inspiring that deference you speak of.”
“You were the true prince, however, and I had all Falstaff's reverence for the true prince.”
“And yet you see after all I am like to turn out only a pretender.”