“Why, of course I am,” replied Harry.
“Any intrigues—eh?”
“Indeed,” replied the other, pulling a long face, “I am ashamed to answer you on that subject. Intrigues! I regret to say only half a dozen yet, but my prospects in that direction are good.”
“Have you fought? Did you ever commit murder?”
“It can scarcely be called by that name. It was in tavern brawls; one was a rascally cockleman, and the other a rascally oyster-man.”
“How did you manage the oysterman with a knife, eh?”
“No, sirrah; with my sword I did him open.”
“Have you any expectation of being hanged?”
“Why, according to the life I have led, I think there is every probability that I may reach that honorable position.”
The old peer could bear this no longer. He burst out into a loud laugh, which lasted upwards of two minutes.