human
It seems all up, Gammon, certainly--don't it?
gpt
Indeed, my dear Mr. Quirk, it does! You have my sincerest
human
Now comes t'other end of the thing, Gammon! You know every promise of marriage has two ends--one joins the heart, and t'other the pocket; _out_ heart, _in_ pocket--so _have at him_, Gammon--have at him, by Jove! He rose up and rubbed his hands as he stood before the fire.
gpt
Breach of promise--thundering damages--devilish deep purse--special jury--broken heart, and all that! I wish he'd written her--by the way--more letters! Adad, I'll have a shot at him by next assizes--a writ on the file this very day! What d'ye think on't, friend Gammon, between ourselves?
human
Why, my dear sir--to tell you the truth--aren't you really well out of it? He's a miserable little upstart--he'd have made a wretched husband for so superior a girl as Miss Quirk.
gpt
Ay--ay! ay! She _is_ a good girl, Gammon--there you're right; would have made the best of wives--my eyes, (between ourselves!) how that'll go to the jury! Gad, I fancy I see'em--perhaps all of'em daughters of their own.
human
Looking at the thing calmly, Mr. Quirk, said Gammon, gravely--apprehensive of Mr. Quirk's carrying too far so very absurd an affair--
gpt
Evidence? Deuce take you, Gammon! where are your wits? Evidence? Lots--lots of it! A'n't there I--her father? A'n't I a competent[31] witness? Wait and see old Caleb Quirk get into the box. I'll settle his hash in half a minute.
human
Yes--if you're believed, perhaps.
gpt
Why, you may be too much swayed by your own feelings!
human
Still, to come to the point, Mr. Quirk, I vow it quite _teases_ me--this matter of the evidence
gpt
Evidence? Why, Lord bless my soul, Gammon, quoth Quirk, testily,
human
Why, you see, Mr. Quirk, said Gammon, very seriously--
gpt
Oh, you'll _recollect_ enough, in due time, friend Gammon, if you'll only turn your attention to it; and if you'll bear in mind it's life and death to my poor girl. Oh Lord! I must get my sister to break it to her, and I'll send sealed instructions to Mr. ---- Weasel, shall we say? or Lynx? ay, Lynx; for he'll then have to fight for his own pleadings; and can't turn round at the trial and say, 'this is not right,' and 'that's wrong,' and, '_why_ didn't you have such and such evidence?' Lynx is the man; and I'll lay the venue in Yorkshire, for Titmouse is devilish disliked down there; and a special jury will be only too glad to give him a desperate slap in the chops! We'll lay the damages at twenty thousand pounds! Ah, ha! I'll teach the young villain to break the hearts of an old man and his daughter. But, egad, he pulled out his watch,
human
Are they here?
gpt
Yes, sir, all three; and the coach is at the door, too. Nicky Crowbar's to be up at three, sir
human
I see--I know--I'm ready,