He looked at Durrell with amused contempt.
"So you know that I have compelled Mr. Jasper Benham to be my guest? And yet you cannot appreciate what a desperate piece of cleverness it was. A little man comes and storms at you, and instead of holding loyal to me, you throw up your arms and surrender."
"I have refused to accept your methods."
"Because of a wonderful new affection for this cub of a Sussex squire? Thunder! I wish you had your girl's courage, and not the heart of a sheep."
Durrell's eyes began to glitter in his white face.
"It is because of Nance that I have seen fit to renounce you and your cleverness."
"You overwhelm me! How much does your daughter know?"
"Everything."
"Oh, come, now, come!"
"I said everything."