Mr.Fopling was experiencing an uncommon elevation of spirits; for he had stared Ajax out of countenance--a notable feat--and sent the rival favorite growling and bristling from the room.

Usually Mr.Fopling took no part in what conversations raged around him; it was the reason of some surprise, therefore, to both Bess and Richard when, at the mention of Storri's name, Mr.Fopling's ears pricked up a flicker of interest and he betrayed symptoms of being about to speak.
"Stow-wy!" exclaimed Mr.Fopling thoughtfully, as though identifying that nobleman, while Bess and Richard looked on as do folk who behold a miracle, "Stow-wy! I say, Stawms, why don't you go into Wall Stweet and bweak the beggah?
He's always gambling, don't y' know! Bweak him; that's the way to punish such a fellah." "Why! what a malicious soul you have grown!" cried Bess in astonishment.
"Really, Algy,"-- Mr.Fopling's name was Algernon,--"if you burst on us in this guise often, I for one shall stand in terror of you!" "But, weally," protested Mr.Fopling, "if you want to get even with a fellah, Bess, just bweak him! It's simply awful, they say, for a chap to be bwoke.

As for this Stow-wy, if Stawms hasn't got the money to go aftah him, I'll let him have some of mine.

You see, Bess," concluded Mr.
Fopling, with a broad candor that proved his love, "I hate this cweature Stow-wy." "Why ?" asked Richard, somewhat interested in his unexpected ally.
"He spoke dewisively of me," and with that Mr.Fopling lapsed.
Richard went slowly homeward, his chin on his chest, not in discouragement, but thought.

The counsel of the vacuous Mr.Fopling followed him to ring in his ears like words of guidance.
"Bweak him!" squeaked Mr.Fopling, feebly vicious.
Since Mr.Fopling had never been known to think anything or say anything anterior to this singular outburst, the conclusion forced itself upon Richard that Mr.Fopling was inspired.