But his anger had gained her. She faced him. "Heavens and earth! What
have you against him? What have you all against him? My eyes are as good
as any one's. I can't see it."
"You might feel it then."
"Feel what?"
Verelst tugged again at his moustache. He had never heard of elementals
and, if he had heard, he would not have believed in them. He knew
nothing of aurae--which photography has captured. He was very old fogy.
But he knew an honest man when he saw one and a gentleman before he
opened his mouth.
"Feel what?" Mrs. Austen repeated.
Verelst, thrashing about, could not get it, but he said: "I can't
describe it, but it's something. His father had it. He----"
"His father is at death's door."
"Ah! Is he? Well, I'm sorry for that. M. P. used to be no better than
the law allows--and the law is very lenient."
"You were too."
"I daresay. But M. P. has got over it. Without boasting, I think I have
also. But that is neither here nor there. In the old days, I have seen
people shrink from him."
"Nonsense! Precious little shrinking I ever did."
"Timidity was never one of your many virtues."
"Don't be coarse, Peter, and if possible don't be stupid. If you know
anything against Monty, say it I may find it in his favour."