"We have been taught that it is the heart that matters. Inward cleanliness, eh? You have heard, Mr. Benham, of the old saints and hermits. Dirt and vermin were held to be honourable."
"You would talk in a different way if I were out of these irons."
"Pardon me, my dear young man, I think I should not. Besides, why should you trouble about your beard? The sweet charmer is not likely to see you—though there is pathos about an unshaven chin. Do you think that she troubles——"
He sipped his wine, and watched Jasper over the rim of his glass.
"I drink Miss Nance's health. She is a clever girl, Mr. Benham. How we laughed, she and I! It was funny, although so damnably serious."
"Curse you, what do you mean?"
De Rothan regarded him with infinite relish.
"What an honest soul! You really believe that Miss Durrell wanted me at the end of a rope, and you kneeling romantically at her feet?"
Jasper had nothing adequate to say.
"Nance led you on so cleverly. She sent you off with her blessing to Darvel's Wood. Dear, honest fool!"