"What signifies life," quoth he, "in this languishing condition?
It will be some pleasure that my friends will revenge my death upon this barbarous man that has been the cause of it." All this while John looked sedate and calm, neither offering in the least to snatch the knife, nor stop his blow, trusting to the tenderness Nic.

had for his own person.

When he perceived that John was immovable in his purpose, he applied himself to Lewis.
"Art thou," quoth he, "turned bubble in thy old age, from being a sharper in thy youth?
What occasion hast thou to give up Ecclesdown Castle to John Bull?
His friendship is not worth a rush.

Give it me, and I'll make it worth thy while.

If thou dislikest that proposition, keep it thyself; I'd rather thou shouldst have it than he.