'He was thrashed within an inch of his life, and very properly he was served.'
'Thrashed! Where? On a flight of steps?'
'On the steps of the Hôtel des Anglais at Nice.'
'Good God! I thought I knew the place; of course it was the Hôtel des Anglais; it's--it's past believing.'
The solicitor misapprehended the cause of Mr Holland's excitement.
'It does seem almost incredible; none the less it is a lamentable fact.'
The young gentleman put in his word.
'How incredible? The dear man misbehaved himself with another man's wife, as was his invariable custom when he had a chance. The other man thrashed him for it. What could be more natural? or simpler?'
Mr Holland ignored the inquiry.
'What is it, Mr Collyer, which you wish to say to me?'