"I have asked my cousin to be my wife."
"What! Emily?"
"Yes, Emily; and she has consented. I now ask for your approval." We must give Cousin George his due, and acknowledge that he made his little request exactly as he would have done had he been master of ten thousand a year of his own, quite unencumbered.
"What right had you, sir, to speak to her without coming to me first?"
"One always does, I think, go to the girl first," said George.
"You have disgraced yourself, sir, and outraged my hospitality. You are no gentleman!"
"Sir Harry, that is strong language."
"Strong! Of course it is strong. I mean it to be strong. I shall make it stronger yet if you attempt to say another word to her."
"Look here, Sir Harry, I am bound to bear a good deal from you, but I have a right to explain."
"You have a right, sir, to go away from this, and go away you shall."