Page:Doctor Syn - A Smuggler Tale of the Romney Marsh.djvu/269

 could have been more fortunate. "La, sir," she cried, "this little affair is truly a Godsend to me."

"In whatever way?" asked the amazed lawyer.

"Why, you disproportionate dullard! Who is head of the press gang, eh? Answer me that now, and you've got it."

"Captain Tuffton, isn't it, my love?" said the lawyer.

"Captain Tuffton, of course it is," said his wife. "Captain Tuffton of a truth. That insufferable coxcomb, that atrociously obnoxious scent-smelling profligate on whom I shall now be able to pay off old scores."

"Old scores, my love? Old scores?"

"La, sir, have you utterly forgotten how he snubbed me at Lady Rivers's card party and again at his lordship's water picnic? Has that slipped your memory, too? How he got that appallingly painted besom of a Parisian actress to imitate me to my face? Lord love you, Mister Whyllie, I have long sworn to get even with that young idiot. Why, it was only this morning that I was puzzling out a thousand schemes all through church for his undoing, and here comes a direct answer to my prayers, and you seem to have covered yourself with the blues about it. Why, Mister Whyllie, here is not only a chance to humble him to the dust, but a most admirable occasion for his disgrace as well."

"I am truly glad to hear you say so," was the husband's comment. "But I'm danged if I can see how you are to set about it."