Bassett showed him Sir Charles's letter.

Wheeler read it.
"Now read what I say to him in reply." Wheeler read Bassett's letter, threw it into the fire, and kept it there with the poker.
"Lucky I called," said he, dryly.

"Saved you a thousand pounds or so.
You must not write a letter without me." "What, am I to sit still and be insulted?
You're a pretty friend." "I am a wise friend.

This is a more serious matter than you seem to think." "Libel ?" "Of course.

Why, if Sir Charles had consulted _me,_ I could not have dictated a better letter.