Summary

Portrait of Charles Dickens Charles Dickens The Mystery of Edwin Drood — Chapter VIII (1870)

Jasper sets the example of nearly emptying his glass, and Neville follows it. Edwin Drood says "Thank you both very much," and follows the double example.
"Look at him!" cries Jasper, stretching out his hand admiringly and tenderly, though rallyingly too. "See where he lounges so easily, Mr. Neville! The world is all before him where to choose. A life of stirring work and interest, a life of change and excitement, a life of domestic ease and love! Look at him!"
Edwin Drood's face has become quickly and remarkably flushed by the wine; so has the face of Neville Landless.
Source: Wikisource

Portrait of Charles Dickens Charles Dickens The Mystery of Edwin Drood — Chapter VIII (1870)

You are a common fellow, and a common boaster."
"Pooh, pooh," says Edwin Drood, equally furious, but more collected; "how should you know? You may know a black common fellow, or a black common boaster, when you see him (and no doubt you have a large acquaintance that way) ; but you are no judge of white men."
This insulting allusion to his dark skin infuriates Neville to that violent degree, that he flings the dregs of his wine at Edwin Drood, and is in the act of flinging the goblet after it, when his arm is caught in the nick of time by Jasper.
Source: Wikisource

Portrait of Charles Dickens Charles Dickens The Mystery of Edwin Drood — Chapter VIII (1870)

But Neville throws him off, and pauses for an instant, in a raging passion, with the goblet yet in his uplifted hand. Then, he dashes it down under the grate, with such force that the broken splinters fly out again in a shower; and he leaves the house.
When he first emerges into the night air, nothing around him is still or steady; nothing around him shows like what it is; he only knows that he stands with a bare head in the midst of a blood-red whirl, waiting to be struggled with, and to struggle to the death.
Source: Wikisource

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