'Yes, yes, I've heard,' said Colonel Halkett hastily.
He would have liked to be informed of Dr. Shrapnel's particular offence: he mentioned the execrable letter.
Mr. Romfrey complacently interjected: 'Drug-vomit!' and after an interval: 'Gallows!'
'That man has done Nevil Beauchamp a world of mischief, Romfrey.'
'We'll hope for a cure, colonel.'
'Did the man come across you?'
'He did.'
Mr. Romfrey was mute on the subject. Colonel Halkett abstained from pushing his inquiries.
Cecilia could only tell her father when they were alone in the drawing- room a few minutes before dinner that Mrs. Culling was entirely ignorant of any cause to which Nevil's absence might be attributed.
'Mr. Romfrey had good cause,' the colonel said, emphatically.