Again the two gentlemen walked around each other with great amusement on the part of one, and with ever increasing vexation on the part of the other.
Soon John said, "May I ask whom have I the honor to address?"
"Certainly, you may ask," was the response.
A silence ensued during which Dorothy again turned her back on John and walked a few paces away from him. John's patience was rapidly oozing, and when the unknown intruder again turned in his direction, John said with all the gentleness then at his command:—
"Well, sir, I do ask."
"Your curiosity is flattering," said the girl.
"Pardon me, sir," returned John. "My curiosity is not intended to be flattering. I—"
"I hope it is not intended to be insulting, sir?" asked my hat and cloak.
"That, sir, all depends upon yourself," retorted John, warmly. Then after an instant of thought, he continued in tones of conciliation:—
"I have an engagement of a private nature at this place. In short, I hope to meet a—a friend here within a few minutes and I feel sure that under the circumstances so gallant a gentleman as yourself will act with due consideration for the feelings of another. I hope and believe that you will do as you would be done by."