‘Ah, yes; very beautiful of him,’ said a sceptical spirit; and then a feeling seemed to prevail that the talk had gone far enough in that direction. Indeed, the conversation at the other end of the table had become somewhat loud, and the speakers with whom we have been concerned began to look and listen what it was all about.
What had taken place was this. Sir Thomas Winthrop, good gentleman, feeling his heart warmed within him, took advantage of much loud talk around him to address a few words to Otho Askam.
‘I’m glad to see you with us to-day, Mr. Askam.’
‘Thank you,’ said Otho, with his wooden bow.
‘I hope you found the sport to your liking,’ added the baronet. ‘We consider it has been rather a good season, on the whole.’
‘It has been nothing to complain of,’ was the gracious reply.
Encouraged by this admission, Sir Thomas filled his glass, and said—
‘I hope this will not be the last time, by many, that we shall meet on an occasion like this.’
Again Otho bowed stiffly, drank his glass of wine, and gave ear to Sir Thomas, as he proceeded—
‘I’m glad to see you and Gilbert Langstroth so thick. He’s a very intelligent young man.’