Warren Courtly had a serious quarrel with Felix Hoffman over the letter he wrote to Irene. Felix, however, was master of the situation, and told him so.
"I know who you are, and that you have a wife at Anselm Manor; I wonder how she would take it if I introduced her to Mrs. Warren?"
"You dare not, you scoundrel," said Warren. "I have never lived with Mrs. Warren, you know it."
"I know she is no more Mrs. Warren than I am, unless you have committed bigamy, which is not at all likely," he replied.
"If you say one word to my wife about Mrs. Warren and myself, you will repent it," said Warren Courtly.
"Shall I? Then you will have to make it worth my while to hold my tongue," replied Felix.
"Turning blackmailer, are you?" said Warren. "What is your price?"
"Fifty pounds will carry me over this month, and I promise not to trouble you if I have good luck with it."
"And supposing you have bad luck?"
"Then I am afraid I must trespass upon your generosity again," replied Felix.