“Is this intrusion agreeable to you, Miss Dodd?” said Mr. Hurd respectfully, by way of courting her. She made no reply, but only looked wildly at Alfred still, and quivered visibly.
“Pray, sir,” said Alfred, turning on Mr. Hurd, “have you any right to interfere between us two?”
“None whatever,” said Julia hastily. “Mr. Hurd, I need no one: I will permit no one to say a word to him. Mr. Hardie knows he cannot enter a house where I am—without an explanation.”
“What, before a couple of curates?”
“Do not be insolent to my friends, sir,” said Julia, panting.
This wounded Alfred deeply. “Oh, as you please,” said he. “Only if you put me on my defence before strangers, I shall, perhaps, put you to the blush before them.”
“Why do you come here, sir?” said Julia, not deigning to notice his threat.
“To see my betrothed.”
“Oh, indeed!” said she bitterly; “in that case why have you postponed your visit so long?”
“I was in prison.”