"
"Grouse is no more a hanger-on than any one else," said Lord
Marney, rather fiercely.
"Perhaps not," said Egremont quietly; "I am no judge of such
sort of people."
"I should like to know what you are a judge of; certainly not
of making yourself agreeable to young ladies. Arabella cannot
he particularly charmed with the result of your visit to
Mowbray, as far as Lady Joan is concerned, Arabella's most
intimate friend by the bye. If for no other reason, you ought
to have paid her more attention."
"I cannot pay attention unless I am attracted," said Egremont;
"I have not the ever-ready talent of your friend, Captain
Grouse."
"I do not know what you mean by my friend Captain Grouse.
Captain Grouse is no more my friend than your friend. One
must have people about the house to do a thousand things which
one cannot do oneself, and which one cannot trust to servants,
and Grouse does all this capitally."
"Exactly; he is just what I said, a capital hanger-on if you
like, but still a hanger-on."
"Well, and what then! Suppose he is a hanger-on; may I not
have hangers-on as well as any other man?"
"Of course you may; but I am not bound to regret their
absence."
"Who said you were? But I will regret their absence, if I
choose.
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