He bowed coldly in rebuke to their laughter, but they took no offence.
“Hey, old boy! so here you are at last!” said Reding.
“We have been looking for you for days—ever since we saw you at the German Opera with that pretty little girl,” said Harpe.
“Where have you been hiding yourself all this time?” inquired Reding.
“And above all, where have you hidden that little beauty, you churlish fellow?” added Harpe.
“You never presented us to her,” said Reding.
“Ah! we owe you one for that,” added Harpe.
“Gentlemen,” answered Mr. Lyon, slowly and coldly collecting his thoughts, “if you will be good enough to speak, one at a time, and forbear a second question until a first is answered, perhaps I may be able to satisfy your curiosity. On the evening to which you allude I happened to be passing through Washington, having in my charge the daughter of a clergyman. She was the very young lady whom you saw with me at the opera. I made no stay in the city beyond that evening; but took my young charge immediately to her home.”
And in this statement also Mr. Lyon told something near the literal truth, while intentionally giving a false impression.
“Ah, well,” said Reding, “but why did you not introduce us to the little beauty?”