conduct--to--er--near relative--or even valued personal friend?
The--er--arrangements necessary for that purpose I myself would
undertake."

He was quite sincere; indeed, his small black eyes shone with that fire
which a pretty woman or an "affair of honor" could alone kindle. The
visitor stared vacantly at him, and said slowly, "And what good is that
goin' to do US?"

"Compel him to--er--perform his promise," said the Colonel, leaning back
in his chair.

"Ketch him doin' it!" she exclaimed scornfully. "No--that ain't wot
we're after. We must make him PAY! Damages--and nothin' short o' THAT."

The Colonel bit his lip. "I suppose," he said gloomily, "you have
documentary evidence--written promises and protestations--er--er
love-letters, in fact?"

"No--nary a letter! Ye see, that's jest it--and that's where YOU come
in. You've got to convince that jury yourself. You've got to show what
it is--tell the whole story your own way. Lord! to a man like you that's
nothin'."

Startling as this admission might have been to any other lawyer,
Starbottle was absolutely relieved by it. The absence of any
mirth-provoking correspondence, and the appeal solely to his own powers
of persuasion, actually struck his fancy. He lightly put aside the
compliment with a wave of his white hand.