Mr. Talboys. “Well, sir, what do you say now?”
Mr. Fountain (hypocritically). “I say that your sagacity was superior to mine; forgive me if I have brought you into a mortifying collision. To be defeated by a merchant sailor!” He paused to see the effect of his poisoned shaft.
Talboys. “But I am not defeated. I will not be defeated. It is no longer a personal question. For your sake, for her sake, I must save her from a degrading connection. I will accompany you to Mrs. Bazalgette's. When shall we go?”
“Well, not immediately; it would look so odd. The old one would smell a rat directly. Suppose we say in a month's time.”
“Very well; I shall have a clear stage.”
“Yes, and I shall then use all my influence with her. Hitherto I have used none.”
“Thank you. Mr. Dodd cannot penetrate there, I conclude.”
“Of course not.”
“Then she will be Mrs. Talboys.”
“Of course she will.”