Nor was it a surprise to old Alec, who despite his fears had followed Harry noiselessly into the room, and who had also overheard the colonel's previous outbreak as to his intended disposition of his young master.
St.George, who during the outburst had stood leaning against the mantel, his eyes riveted on Harry, broke the silence.
"That, gentlemen," he exclaimed, straightening to his feet, one hand held high above his head, "is the most idiotic and unjust utterance that ever fell from Talbot Rutter's lips! and one he will regret to his dying day.

This boy you all know--most of you have known him from childhood, and you know him, as I do, to be the embodiment of all that is brave and truthful.

He is just of age--without knowledge of the world, his engagement to Kate Seymour, as some of you are aware, was to be made known to-night.

Willits was drunk or he would not have acted as he did.
I saw it coming and tried to stop him.

That he was drunk was Rutter's own fault, with his damned notions of drowning everybody in drink every minute of the day and night.