“I had thought,” he said, “that it was here the custom to talk with freedom to young ladies. I see it is your practice, my cousin.”
“Yes, yes. Besides, I’m an old friend, you see. Of course it is the custom; but consequences sometimes result from it—pity if they didn’t.”
“But it may be,” said Alvar, “that as my father’s son, it is expected that I should marry if it should be agreeable to my father?”
“Possibly,” said Rupert, unable to resist trying experiments. “Fellows with expectations have to be careful, you know.”
“I thank you,” said Alvar. “But I do not mistake a lady who has been kind to me, or I should be a coxcomb. Good-night, my cousin.”
“Good-night,” said Rupert, feeling somewhat baffled, and a little angry; for, after all, he had been perfectly right.