“I forbid you to complete the name!” cried Pomander.
“I command you to complete the name!” cried Vane.
“Gentlemen, gentlemen! how can I do both?” remonstrated Triplet.
“Enough, sir!” cried Pomander. “It is a lady's secret. I am the guardian of that lady's honor.”
“She has chosen a strange guardian of her honor!” said Vane bitterly.
“Gentlemen!” cried poor Triplet, who did not at all like the turn things were taking, “I give you my word, she does not even know of Sir Charies's presence here!”
“Who?” cried Vane, furiously. “Man alive! who are you speaking of?”
“Mrs. Vane.”
“My wife!” cried Vane, trembling with anger and jealousy. “She here! and with this man?”
“No!” cried Triplet. “With me, with me! Not with him, of course.”