"Exactly so."
"Sir! Do you mean to say that you know she was not lost?"
"Precisely so."
"By ——! Sir, you have been making a merit of this very thing."
"True, but policy, policy! You will recollect you were not in a particularly amiable mood when I had the honor to introduce myself this morning. It was necessary to conciliate you, and my plan succeeded admirably. Besides, I blowed up the steamer with the intention of serving you, and I ought to have the credit of my good intentions!"
"And a pretty mess you have made of it!"
"Did the best that could be done, under the circumstances."
"The game is up! I may as well hang myself, at once."
"The very worst thing you could possibly do. A long life of happiness and usefulness is yet before you, provided you follow my advice."
"Your advice!" sneered Jaspar.