human
That's all very fine, but a man doesn't risk everything he holds dear in the world to go cheating at cards just for the fun of it. You may depend upon it he had a reason.
gpt
Oh, he had a reason, Mrs. Fane agreed--
human
I imagine it was good enough for him, poor devil.
gpt
But not for any one else. He was drummed out. There wasn't a soul in the regiment to speak to him. We heard that he took another name and went abroad. Anyhow, he disappeared. It was all he could do. He was lucky to get off with that; wasn't he, Peter? wasn't he, father?
human
What he got off with, said Guion,
gpt
Oh, certainly, Mrs. Fane assented, dryly.
human
He did acquire that. But I'm surprised to hear you commend it; aren't you, father? aren't you, Peter?
gpt
I'm not commending it, Guion asserted;
human
I only feel its force. I've a great deal of sympathy with any poor beggar in his--downfall.
gpt
Since when?
human
Since--lately. Why do you ask?
gpt
Oh, for no reason. It only strikes me as curious that your sympathy should take that turn.
human
Precisely, Miss Guion chimed in.
gpt
It's not a bit like you, papa. You used to be harder on dishonorable things than any one.
human
Well, I'm not now.
gpt
Come, Cousin Cherry. Come, Drusilla, she said, with her easy, authoritative manner. Then, apparently with an attempt to make up for her neglect of Davenant, she said, as she held the door open for the ladies to pass:
human
Don't let them keep you here forever. We shall be terribly dull till you join us.