"Many times."
"Yes—many times. And it has had no more effect upon you than if I had not spoken."
"Less."
"I daresay. I wish it were not so, for there's good in you somewhere, Tracy."
"By what strange process of reasoning do you arrive at that?"
"Well," said Fortescue laughing, "there's nearly always some good in the very worst of men. I count on that—and your kindness to me."
"I should be interested to know when I have been kind to you—beyond the time when I was compelled to teach you to leave me and my affairs alone."
"I was not referring to that occasion," was the dry answer. "I had not seen your act in that light. I meant well over the episode."
"You could not damn yourself more effectually than by saying that," said his Grace calmly. "But we wander from the point. When have I done you an act of kindness?"
"You know very well. When you extricated me from that cursed sponging-house."