I knew whom they meant by "Nell." "By God, sir, I'm not misinformed," said he.
"By God, my lord," said I--though I had not been wont to swear--"By God, my lord, you are." Our voices had risen in anger; a silence fell on the party, all turning from their talk to listen to us.

Carford's face went red when I gave him the lie so directly and the more fiercely because, to my shame and wonder, I had begun to suspect that what he said was no lie.

But I followed up the attack briskly.
"Therefore, my lord," I said, "I will beg of you to confess your error, and withdraw what you have said." He burst into a laugh.
"If I weren't ashamed to take a favour from such a hand, I wouldn't be ashamed to own it," said he.
I rose from my seat and bowed to him gravely.

All understood my meaning; but he, choosing to treat me with insolence, did not rise nor return my salute, but sat where he was, smiling scornfully.
"You don't understand me, it seems, my lord," said I."May be this will quicken your wits," and I flung the napkin which had been brought to me after meat lightly in his face.

He sprang up quickly enough then, and so did all the company.