'The rendezvous of all the gulls in the Western counties. Only, with this difference, the gulls go to the Laira for what they can get, and they come to Ophir for what they can give.'
'I do not like these flippant jokes,' said Tramplara, puffing and waxing red.
'The joke is too near the truth. You see, father-in-law prospective, I have been in Exeter, and have talked Ophir over with lawyers, bankers, mining agents, and men of the world.'
'Well?'
'And I find that the general verdict on Ophir is, that it is a —— swindle.'
Tramplara stamped, turned purple in face, and strode up and down the room.
'You insult me. Look at my white hairs. This is an outrage on my character, on my age. Do you dare to say that an old man like me, with one foot in eternity, would—would——'
'Reserve that for the Flamanks,' said the Captain; 'it is an argument without weight with me.'
'This is intolerable. You wish to break off connection with me.'
'Not at all,' said the Captain, smiling and twisting his fair moustache. 'I am only telling you what is said in Exeter about Ophir. My own opinion is inchoate. Sometimes I am inclined to believe in the genuineness of the article, but generally, I admit, what I admire most is not its genuineness, but the skill with which a spurious article is disposed of.'