They seemed to entertain the notion that he had forfeited the respect due a gentleman.
A few days after Franklin had given air to his suspicion that the government party would try to tow him into port three stout British ships had broken their cables on him.

An invitation not likely to be received by one who had really forfeited the respect of gentlemen was in his hands.

The shrewd philosopher did not think twice about it.

He knew that here was the first step in a change of tactics.

He could not properly decline to accept it and so he went to dine and spend the night with a most distinguished company at the country seat of Lord Howe.
On his return he told his young friend of the portal and lodge in a great triumphal arch marking the entrance to the estate of His Lordship; of the mile long road to the big house straight as a gun barrel and smooth as a carpet; of the immense single oaks; of the artificial stream circling the front of the house and the beautiful bridge leading to its entrance; of the double flight of steps under the grand portico; of the great hall with its ceiling forty feet high, supported by fluted Corinthian columns of red-veined alabaster; of the rare old tapestries on a golden background in the saloon; of the immense corridors connecting the wings of the structure.