The Castle Inn

But if he defied Mr. Pomeroy, how would he stand? The girl's position in

this solitary house, apart from her friends, was half the battle; in a

sneaking way, though he shrank from facing the fact, he knew that she

was at their mercy; as much at their mercy as if they had planned the

abduction from the first. Without Mr. Pomeroy, therefore, the master of

the house and the strongest spirit of the three-He got no farther, for at this point Lord Almeric repeated his question;

and the tutor, meeting Pomeroy's bullying eye, found it necessary to say

something. 'Certainly,' he stammered at a venture, 'we can all try, my

lord. Why not?' 'Ay, why not?' said Lord Almeric. 'Why not try?' 'Try? But how are you going to try?' Mr. Pomeroy responded with a

jeering laugh. 'I tell you, we cannot all marry the girl.' Lord Almeric burst in a sudden fit of chuckling. 'I vow and protest I

have it!' he cried. 'We'll play for her! Don't you see, Pom? We'll cut

for her! Ha! Ha! That is surprising clever of me; don't you think? We'll

play for her!'