“I did not see it, and I was nearer her than you,” said Talboys coldly.
“But I was in front of her.”
“Yes, a mile off.” There being no jurisconsult present to explain to these two magistrates that if fifty people don't see a woman pucker her face like a bag, and one does see her p. h. f. l. a. b., the affirmative evidence preponderates, they were very near coming to a quarrel on this grave point. It was Fountain who made peace. He suddenly remembered that his friend had never been known to change an opinion. “Well,” said he, “let us leave that; we shall have other opportunities of watching Dodd and her; meantime I am sorry I cannot convince you of my good news, for I have some bad to balance it. You have a rival, and he did not sit next Mrs. Bazalgette.”
“Pray may I ask whom he did sit next?” sneered Talboys.
“He sat—like a man who meant to win—by the girl herself.”
“Oh, then it is that sing-song captain you fear, sir?” drawled Talboys.
“No, sir, no more than I dread the epergne. Try the other side.”
“What, Mr. Hardie? Why, he is a banker.”
“And a rich one.”
“She would never marry a banker.”