CHAPTER XXXVI.
PURSUIT OF THE APOLOGY OF Mr. ROMFREY TO DR. SHRAPNEL
The contest, which was an alternation of hard hitting and close wrestling, had recommenced when Colonel Halkett stepped into the drawing-room.
“Colonel, I find they’ve been galloping to Bevisham and back,” said Mr. Romfrey.
“I’ve heard of it,” the colonel replied. Not perceiving a sign of dissatisfaction on his friend’s face, he continued: “To that man Shrapnel.”
“Cecilia did not dismount,” said Beauchamp.
“You took her to that man’s gate. It was not with my sanction. You know my ideas of the man.”
“If you were to see him now, colonel, I don’t think you would speak harshly of him.”
“We’re not obliged to go and look on men who have had their measure dealt them.”
“Barbarously,” said Beauchamp.
Mr. Romfrey in the most placid manner took a chair. “Windy talk, that!” he said.