"I've a word to say, Dives. I must see that fellow Herbert Strangways."
"_Who?_" said Dives, a good deal alarmed, for he feared that his brother's mind was wandering.
"Herbert--that fellow Varbarriere. I forgot I had not told you. Herbert Strangways, you remember; they're the same. And I want to see him. Better now than to-morrow. I may be feverish then."
"By Jove! It's very surprising. Do you really mean--"
"Yes; he is. I do; they are the same. You remember Herbert, of course--Herbert Strangways--the fellow I had that long chase after all over Europe. He has things to complain of, you know, and we might as well square the account in a friendlier way, eh?--don't you think?"
"And was it he--was there any altercation?" stammered Dives.
"That did _this_, you mean," said Sir Jekyl, moving his hand toward the wound. "Not a bit--no. He seems reasonable; and I should like--you know they are very old blood, and there's nothing against it--that all should be made up. And if that young fellow and Beatrix--don't you see? Is Tomlinson there?"
"Call him. Tomlinson, I say, you take my compliments to Monsieur Varbarriere, and say, if he has no objection to see me for a few minutes here, I should be very happy. Try and make him out, and bring me word."
"And, Dives, it tires me;--so will you--I'm sure you will--see Pelter, after we've spoken with that fellow Herbert, and consult what we had best do, you know. I dare say the young people would come to like one another--he's a fine young fellow; and that, you know, would be the natural way of settling it--better than law or fighting."
"And you may tell him I have that thing--the deed, you know--my poor father--"
"I--I always told you, my dear Jekyl, I'd rather know nothing of all that--in fact, I _do_ know nothing; and I should not like to speak to Pelter on that subject. You can, another time, you know," said Dives.
"Pray, dear Jekyl, don't--I assure you I'd rather know nothing--I--I can't; and Pelter will understand you better when he sees you. But I'll talk to him with pleasure about the other thing, and I quite agree with you that any reasonable arrangement is better than litigation."
"Very well, be it so," said Sir Jekyl, very tired.
"I'm always drinking claret now--give me some--the only quick way of making blood--I've lost a lot."