This talk hung on for a long time, as it seemed to Baynell. Yet he did not welcome its conclusion, for a greater source of irritation was to come.
"But now that you have a footing there, Fluellen, I want you to introduce me," said Colonel Ashley, who was a person of consideration in high and select circles at home, and spoke easily from the vantage-ground of an acknowledged social position. "I should be glad to meet Mrs. Gwynn. I never saw any one whose appearance so impressed me."
"Take me with you when you two call," the lieutenant, all unprescient, interjected casually. The next moment he was flushing angrily, for, impossible as it seemed, Baynell was declining in set terms.
"My footing there would not justify me in asking to introduce my friends," he said. "I should be afraid of a refusal."
Ashley, too, cast a swift, indignant glance upon him. Then, "I'll risk it," he said easily; for ill-humor with him was "about face" so suddenly that it was hardly to be recognized.
Baynell showed a stiff distaste for the persistence, but maintained his position.
"Judge Roscoe made it plain that it was only for the sake of his friendship with my father that he offered any civility to me—no concession politically. My status as an officer of the 'Yankee army' is an offence and a stumbling-block to him."
"Bless his fire-eating soul! I don't want to convert him from his treason. I desire only to call on the lady."
"I myself could not call on Mrs. Gwynn," protested Baynell. "She hardly spoke a word to me."
"It will be quite sufficient for her to listen to me," laughed Ashley.