The young man, you understand, was
placed under my care."
"My lord, you will pardon him?"
"With pleasure. Nay, I will restore him to you this very night--"
Captain Barker leapt up from his seat in a transport of gratitude,
and would have caught the Earl's hand had not his friend dragged him
back by the coat-tails.
"--On conditions," his lordship concluded.
"Name them."
"In a moment. We are agreed, I believe, that to blacken a Dutchman's
eyes is no great sin. There are too many Dutchmen around his
Majesty--as you, sirs, had the courage to inform his Majesty this
afternoon."
"Did we say that?"
"I understood you to hint it, at any rate. I assure you that I am
never so much disposed to regret my change of allegiance on that
November night at Salisbury as when I look around and see how little
my own countrymen have profited by that action."
"A while ago," interposed Captain Runacles sharply, "it was the crime
itself that pursued you with remorse."
"The results, sir, have helped me to see the crime in its proper
light."
"My lord, I have the deepest respect for your genius; but at the same
time it appears to me that you lack something."
"Indeed? It would be a kindness to point out in what respect--"
"Let me call it--a gift.
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