St Erth. [Drily] You seem a venomous young man.

De Levis.  I’ll tell you what seems to me venomous, my lord—­chasing a man like a pack of hounds because he isn’t your breed.

Canynge.  You appear to have your breed on the brain, sir.  Nobody else does, so far as I know.

De Levis.  Suppose I had robbed Dancy, would you chase him out for complaining of it?

Colford.  My God!  If you repeat that—­

Canynge.  Steady, Colford!

Winsor.  You make this accusation that Dancy stole your money in my house on no proof—­no proof; and you expect Dancy’s friends to treat you as if you were a gentleman!  That’s too strong, if you like!

De Levis.  No proof?  Bentman told me at Newmarket yesterday that Dancy did know of the sale.  He told Goole, and Goole says that he himself spoke of it to Dancy.

Winsor.  Well—­if he did?

De Levis.  Dancy told you he didn’t know of it in General Canynge’s presence, and mine. [To Canynge] You can’t deny that, if you want to.

Canynge.  Choose your expressions more nicely, please!

De Levis.  Proof!  Did they find any footmarks in the grounds below that torn creeper?  Not a sign!  You saw how he can jump; he won ten pounds from me that same evening betting on what he knew was a certainty.  That’s your Dancy—­a common sharper!

Canynge. [Nodding towards the billiard-room] Are those fellows still in there, Colford?

Colford.  Yes.

Canynge.  Then bring Dancy up, will you?  But don’t say anything to him.

Colford. [To de Levis] You may think yourself damned lucky if he doesn’t break your neck.

     He goes out.  The three who are left with de Levis avert their eyes
     from him.

De Levis. [Smouldering] I have a memory, and a sting too.  Yes, my lord—­since you are good enough to call me venomous. [To Canynge] I quite understand—­I’m marked for Coventry now, whatever happens.  Well, I’ll take Dancy with me.

St Erth. [To himself] This Club has always had a decent, quiet name.

Winsor.  Are you going to retract, and apologise in front of Dancy and the members who heard you?

De Levis.  No fear!

St Erth.  You must be a very rich man, sir.  A jury is likely to take the view that money can hardly compensate for an accusation of that sort.

     De Levis stands silent.  Canynge.  Courts of law require proof.

St Erth.  He can make it a criminal action.

Winsor.  Unless you stop this at once, you may find yourself in prison. 
If you can stop it, that is.