“What bribe will silence you then? I hope that is plain enough—even for your comprehension!”
“If I had meant to hold my tongue, I should have held it.”
“What do you want, then?”
“To keep you from marrying Miss Shotover.”
“By Jove! And suppose I kick you into the gutter, and tell you to mind your own business—what then?”
“I will tell either your father or Mr. Shotover all about it.”
“Even you can’t be such a fool! What good would it do you? You’re not after her yourself, are you?—Ha! ha!—that’s it! I didn’t nose that!—But come, hang it! where’s the use?—I’ll give you four flimsies—there! Twenty pounds, you idiot! There!”
“Mr. Marway, nothing will make me hold my tongue—not even your promise to drop the thing.”
“Then what made you come and cheek me? Impudence?”
“Not at all! I should have been glad enough not to have to do it! I came to you for my own sake.”