Caliphronas laughed, and seemed in no wise offended at the scornful tone of the other. For such an epithet an Englishman would have struck its utterer, but Caliphronas did not even frown. The only notice he took of Crispin’s rudeness was to raise his eyebrows in mocking surprise.
“You have still a bad opinion of me, I see.”
“The very worst!”
“What a truly good young man you are!” said the Count sardonically. “I regret that you should be forced to keep company with such a scamp as I am; but I am afraid you will have to make up your mind to that or—go away.”
“I shall certainly not do the latter until I find out the reason of your presence in this place.”
“Then, my dear friend, you will have to stay here forever.”
“Are you going to stay here forever?”
“I! no. I am down here on business.”
“With the Rector?—with Roylands? with whom?”
The Count looked at him with a provoking smile, and flung himself on the grass at the foot of the oak against which Crispin was leaning.