"I certainly did, and I fail to see in what way such an expectation was unreasonable."
"Excuse me again; but for the moment you seem to have forgotten the sacrifice--for I can call it by no other term--which, only a few weeks ago, Sir Everard was called upon to make for you."
"I presume your ladyship refers to the payment of my debts?"
Her ladyship gravely inclined her head.
"My uncle was not called upon by me to make any such sacrifice, as you term it. I was asked to supply a list of my debts, and I did so."
"May I ask whether you were in a position to have paid them yourself?"
For the life of him, Burgo could not help colouring up to the very roots of his hair. "That I certainly was not," he replied unhesitatingly.
"Then it was perhaps as well that your uncle should pay them for you, were it only to save the family credit."
"Confound this woman! I begin to hate her as much as she hates me," muttered poor Burgo under his breath.
"This is not the first occasion, I believe, on which Sir Everard has had to relieve you from the burden of your extravagances."