“What prevents me,” said Mr. Nupkins, with magisterial dignity, as Job was brought in⁠—“what prevents me from detaining these men as rogues and impostors? It is a foolish mercy. What prevents me?”

“Pride, old fellow, pride,” replied Jingle, quite at his ease. “Wouldn’t do⁠—no go⁠—caught a captain, eh?⁠—ha! ha! very good⁠—husband for daughter⁠—biter bit⁠—make it public⁠—not for worlds⁠—look stupid⁠—very!”

“Wretch,” said Mr. Nupkins, “we scorn your base insinuations.”

“I always hated him,” added Henrietta.

“Oh, of course,” said Jingle. “Tall young man⁠—old lover⁠—Sidney Porkenham⁠—rich⁠—fine fellow⁠—not so rich as captain, though, eh?⁠—turn him away⁠—off with him⁠—anything for captain⁠—nothing like captain anywhere⁠—all the girls⁠—raving mad⁠—eh, Job, eh?”