“To be sure,” said Archer.
“And did you reason with yourself at first? And did you find out that it was right to bar Dr. Middleton out of his own schoolroom, because he desired you not to go into one of his own houses?”
“No,” replied Archer; “but I should never have thought of heading a Barring Out, if he had not shown partiality; and if you had flown into a passion with me openly at once for pulling down your scenery, which would have been quite natural, and not have gone slily and forbid us the house out of revenge, there would have been none of this work.”
“Why,” said De Grey, “should you suspect me of such a mean action, when you have never seen or known me do anything mean, and when in this instance you have no proofs?”
“Will you give me your word and honour now, De Grey, before everybody here, that you did not do what I suspected?”
“I do assure you, upon my honour, I never, indirectly, spoke to Dr. Middleton about the playhouse.”
“Then,” said Archer, “I’m as glad as if I had found a thousand pounds! Now you are my friend indeed.”
“And Dr. Middleton—why should you suspect him without reason any more than me?”
“As to that,” said Archer, “he is your friend, and you are right to defend him; and I won’t say another word against him. Will that satisfy you?”
“Not quite.”