What followed, angels might have attested.
A ringlet had escaped from the bandage of my bodkin. He clipped it off with my scissors, and fixed it next his heart; while I prettily struggled to prevent him, with arch anger, and a pouting playfulness. A thousand saucy triumphs were basking in his eyes, when the door opened, and who should make his appearance, but—Master Bobby!
I could have boxed him.
'I avail myself,' said he, 'of the permission you gave me last night, to call on you this morning.'
Montmorenci looked from the one to the other with amazement.
'And as I am anxious,' continued Stuart, 'to speak with you in private——'
'Sir,' said I, 'any thing which you have to communicate, this gentleman, my particular friend, may hear.'
'Yes, Sir,' cried his lordship, in a haughty tone, 'for I have the honour to boast myself the protector of this lady.'
'If you mean her protector from injury and insult,' said Stuart, 'I hope, Sir, you are not on this occasion, as on others, an actor?'
'You know me then?' said his lordship.