"Devilish hard on Towler, by gad!" said the major, amused, "and not pleasant for Lord Levant—he, he!"
"Always knew it was coming, sir. I spoke to you of it Michaelmas was four years: when her ladyship put the diamonds in pawn. It was Towler, sir, took 'em in two cabs to Dobree's; and a good deal of the plate went the same way. Don't you remember seeing of it at Blackwall, with the Levant arms and coronick, and Lord Levant settn oppsit to it at the Marquis of Steyne's dinner? Beg your pardon; did I cut you, sir?"
Morgan was now operating upon the major's chin; he continued the theme while stropping the skillful razor. "They've took a house in Grosvenor-place, and are coming out strong, sir. Her ladyship's going to give three parties, besides a dinner a week, sir. Her fortune won't stand it—can't stand it."
"Gad, she had a devilish good cook when I was at Fairoaks," the major said, with very little compassion for the widow Amory's fortune.
"Mirobblan was his name, sir; Mirobblan's gone away, sir," Morgan said; and the major, this time, with hearty sympathy said, "he was devilish sorry to lose him."
"There's been a tremenjuous row about that Mosseer Mirobblan," Morgan continued. "At a ball at Baymouth, sir, bless his impadence, he challenged Mr. Harthur to fight a jewel, sir, which Mr. Harthur was very near knocking him down, and pitchin' him out awinder, and serve him right; but Chevalier Strong, sir, came up and stopped the shindy—I beg pardon, the holtercation, sir—them French cooks has as much pride and hinsolence as if they was real gentlemen."
"I heard something of that quarrel," said the major; "but Mirobolant was not turned off for that?"
"No, sir; that affair, sir, Mr. Harthur forgave it him, and beaved most handsome, was hushed hup: it was about Miss Hamory, sir, that he ad his dismissal. Those French fellers, they fancy every body is in love with 'em; and he climbed up the large grape vine to her winder, sir, and was a trying to get in, when he was caught, sir; and Mr. Strong came out, and they got the garden-engine and played on him, and there was no end of a row, sir."
"Confound his impudence! You don't mean to say Miss Amory encouraged him," cried the major, amazed at a peculiar expression in Mr. Morgan's countenance.