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Percival Lutterel atteet to his feet but was detained by the marquis’s firm clasp on his shoulder “No, ol’ boy—don’t call me out I should be forced to delope, and then you would in all probability put a bullet through me—an act I am persuaded would cause you as much pain as it would me”

Percy’s eyes twinkled at the humor behind this, and for a moment the marquis saw a return of his sunny smile “You are a despicable, Justin” He shook his head slowly and pronounced, “A dog”

“So I aht,” the marquis offered on a serious note

“Help me? ’Tis impossible You read her note—she

“The devil is in it that she just ht—if you allow her to do so!” the marquis countered

“Allow her? How in God’s name am I to prevent her?”

“I have given it soht, Percy, and I believe the chit actually wrote you that note in the hopes you would follow her to Bristol and soe the affair—oust Lord Grey and win over her mother”

“Sounds pretty, Justin, but now I shall sound very much like you and remind you that reality and fantasy rarely ave e of heart?”

“I haven’t had a change of heart, ol’ fellow I sie of tactics is in order, as evidently you don’t irl as I advised you to do”

“You don’t understand!” Percy wailed

“Oh, but I do Lord Grey has title and more wealth than you Her mother wishes her to accept his hand, but does the lady really wish it?”

“What does it matter? They won’t let me near her”

“That, libly

“Eh, what mean you?”

“Mrs Delleson has an eye for titles and le mine in front of her?”