The birds are an older family than the St.Johns, but they don't throw their pedigree in our teeth, Mainwaring." "Nay, nay, my good friend, you wrong old Sir Miles; proud he is, no doubt, but neither you nor I have had to complain of his insolence." "Of his insolence, certainly not; of his condescension, yes! Hang it, William, it is his very politeness that galls me.

Don't you observe that with Vernon, or Lord A----, or Lord B----, or Mr.C----, he is easy and off-hand; calls them by their names, pats them on the shoulder, rates them, and swears at them if they vex him.

But with you and me and his French parasite, it is all stately decorum and punctilious courtesy: 'Mr.Mainwaring, I am delighted to see you;' 'Mr.Ardworth, as you are so near, dare I ask you to ring the bell ?' 'Monsieur Dalibard, with the utmost deference, I venture to disagree with you.' However, don't let my foolish susceptibility ruffle your pride.

And you, too, have a worthy object in view, which might well detain you from roach and jack-fish.
Have you stolen your interview with the superb Lucretia ?" "Yes, stolen, as you say; and, like all thieves not thoroughly hardened, I am ashamed of my gains." "Sit down, my boy,--this is a bank in ten thousand; there, that old root to lean your elbow on, this soft moss for your cushion: sit down and confess.

You have something on your mind that preys on you; we are old college friends,--out with it!" "There is no resisting you, Ardworth," said Mainwaring, smiling, and drawn from his reserve and his gloom by the frank good-humour of his companion.