And yet even sober he was amazed to find that the staff upon which with such security he had leaned should have proved rotten.

True he had put much strain upon it; but then he had counted that it would stand much strain.
He would have spoken, but he lacked words, so stricken was he.

And even had he done so it is odds none would have heard him, for the late calm was of a sudden turned to garboil.

Every man of that company--with the sole exception of Richard himself--was on his feet, and all were speaking at once, in clamouring, excited chorus.
Wilding alone--the butt of their expostulations--stood quietly smiling, and wiped his face at last with a kerchief of finest lawn.

Dominating the others in the Babel rose the voice of Sir Rowland Blake--impecunious Blake; Blake lately of the Guards, who had sold his commission as the only thing remaining him upon which he could raise money; Blake, that other suitor for Miss Westmacott's hand, the suitor favoured by her brother.
"You shall not do it, Mr.Wilding," he shouted, his face crimson.