Richard Bassett's retort ran thus:
“I never wrote an anonymous letter in my life; and if I put restraint upon Sir Charles, it was done to protect the estate. Experienced physicians represented him homicidal and suicidal; and I protected both Lady Bassett and himself by the act she has interpreted so harshly.
“As for her last grievance, it is imaginary. My dog is gentle as a lamb. I did not foresee Lady Bassett would be there, nor that the poor dog would run and welcome her. She is playing a comedy: the real truth is, a gentleman had left Huntercombe whose company is necessary to her. She has gone to join him, and thrown the blame very adroitly upon
“RICHARD BASSETT.”
When he had written this Bassett ordered his dog-cart.
Wheeler came in, read the letter, and said the last suggestion in it was a libel, and an indictable one into the bargain.
“What, if it is true—true to the letter?”
“Even then you would not be safe, unless you could prove it by disinterested witnesses.”
“Well, if I cannot, I consent to cut this sentence out. Excuse me one minute, I must put a few things in my carpetbag.”
“What! going away?”