'I cannot throw down the glove to the County just now.'
'But assume a virtue if you have it not,' said Hawkey, applying himself to the long tumbler, that still sparkled and effervesced in the lamp-light.
'He cannot harm me, at all events.'
'I don't know that, and I was deuced easier when he was away in Egypt. Some might call this selfish—what the devil do I care! A man's chief duty centres on himself.'
'Without pity for the unfortunate?'
'Don't be a humbug, Deb, and don't act to me! The poor and unfortunate are so, by their own fault, I suppose. I wish to speak with you about that to which I have—reluctantly—referred more than once.'
Mrs. Lindsay made a gesture of impatience, and said, while toying with her pet cur Fifine:
'Ah—money matters with reference to yourself in the future?'
'Yes; but I do dislike, my dear Deb,' said he, with an affection which she knew right well was mostly simulated, 'discussing them with you.'
'Why?'