'I don't ask it.'
'The country wants your services.'
'I have heard some talk of it. That lout comes to a knowledge of his wants too late. If they promoted and offered me the command in India to-morrow—'My lord struck the arm of his chair. 'I live at Steignton henceforth; my wife is at a seaside place eastward. She left the jewel-case when on her journey through London for safety; she is a particularly careful person, forethoughtful. I take her down to Steignton two days after her return. We entertain there in the autumn. You come?'
'I don't. I prefer decent society.'
'You are in her house now, ma'am.'
'If I have to meet the person, you mean, I shall be civil. The society you've given her, I won't meet.'
'You will have to greet the Countess of Ormont if you care to meet your brother.'
'Part, then, on the best terms we can. I say this, the woman who keeps you from serving your country, she 's your country's enemy.'
'Hear my answer. The lady who is my wife has had to suffer for what you call my country's treatment of me. It 's a choice between my country and her. I give her the rest of my time.'
'That's dotage.'