“I feel happy to avow that I have none, sir. Six centuries of gentry blood suffice for all my ambitions; but I boil over when I see the overweening presumption of these new people.”
“After all, new people, like a new watch, a new coat, and a new carriage, have the best chance of lasting. Old and worn out are very nearly convertible terms.”
“These are sentiments, sir, which would, doubtless, do you excellent service with the family upstairs, but are quite thrown away upon such a mere country gentleman as myself.”
Jekyl smiled, and drew up his cravat, with his habitual simpering air, but said nothing.
“Do you purpose remaining much longer here?” asked Haggerstone, abruptly.
“A few days, at most.”
“Do you turn north or south?”
“I fancy I shall winter in Italy.”
“The Onslows, I believe, are bound for Rome?”
“Can't say,” was the short reply.