'
Well, Cluffe knew that the higher powers favoured Dangerfield; and that,
beside his absurd sentiment, not to say passion, which could not but be
provoking, Puddock's complicity in the abortive hostilities of poor
Nutter and the gallant O'Flaherty rankled in Aunt Becky's heart. She
was, indeed, usually appeasable and forgiving enough; but in this case
her dislike seemed inveterate and vindictive; and she would say--
'Well, let's talk no more of him; 'tis easy finding a more agreeable
subject: but you can't deny, captain, that 'twas an unworthy hypocrisy
his pretending to sentiments against duelling to me, and then engaging
as second in one on the very first opportunity that presented.'
Then Cluffe would argue his case, and plead his excuses, and fumbled
over it a good while; not that he'd have cried a great deal if Puddock
had been hanged; but, I'm afraid, chiefly because, being a fellow of
more gaiety and accomplishment than quickness of invention, it was
rather convenient, than otherwise, to have a topic, no matter what,
supplied to him, and one that put him in an amiable point of view, and
in a kind of graceful, intercessorial relation to the object of his
highly prudent passion.
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