I have got the key to our antagonist.
Young Dodd is _her_ lover." Talboys shook his head with cool
contempt. "What I mean is that she has invited him for her own
amusement, not her niece's. I never saw a woman throw herself at any
man's head as she did at that sailor's all dinner. Her very husband
saw it. He is a cool hand, that Bazalgette; he only grinned, and took
wine with the sailor. He has seen a good many go the same
road--soldiers, sailors, tinkers, tai--"
Talboys interrupted him. "I really must call you to order. You are
prejudiced against poor Mrs. Bazalgette, and prejudice blinds
everybody. Politeness required that she should show some attention to
her neighbor, but her principal attention was certainly not bestowed
on Mr. Dodd."
Fountain was surprised. "On whom, then?"
"Well, to tell the truth, on your humble servant."
Fountain stared. "I observed she did not neglect you; but when she
turned to Dodd her face puckered itself into smiles like a bag."
"I did not see it, and I was nearer her than you," said Talboys
coldly.
"But I was in front of her."
"Yes, a mile off." There being no jurisconsult present to explain to
these two magistrates that if fifty people don't see a woman pucker
her face like a bag, and one does see her p. h. f. l. a. b., the
affirmative evidence preponderates, they were very near coming to a
quarrel on this grave point. It was Fountain who made peace. He
suddenly remembered that his friend had never been known to change an
opinion.
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