“Really, my dear grandfather, I wish you would not press this matter upon Mr. Lyon. You know that Dick is most anxious to be my escort,” said Miss Lyon, in very justifiable displeasure.
Mr. Lyon and Dick. She called Alexander “Mr. Lyon,” and Richard Hammond “Dick.” Alexander noticed the distinction, and his blood fired; but before he could say a word, the old gentleman, with a flushed brow, struck in:
“Dick? What the deuce do you mean, Anna? Do you suppose I am going to allow you to be gallanted about by Dick or any other man, for that matter, to set people gossipping? You an engaged young lady! And you, sir!” he exclaimed, turning angrily to Alexander—“Thunder and lightning! what do you mean, sir, by your excuses and your hesitations? Do you mean to slight your betrothed, sir?”
“Heaven forbid!” answered Alexander, earnestly. “I told you the reason why I hesitated—that I had an engagement to dinner, but that engagement—every lighter engagement—shall give way to your will, sir, and my dear cousin’s service.”
And so saying he bowed to his uncle, and would have lifted his cousin’s hand to his lips, but that she drew it away with a mocking smile as she said:
“Thanks, Mr. ‘Joseph Surface.’ As I am resolved to see the opera, and as I cannot do so without your escort, I suppose I must accept it. Though I tell you plainly that I would much rather have Dick’s company.”
“Anna!” exclaimed the general, again breaking in before Alexander could reply; “Anna, this is unbearable! to tell your betrothed husband that you would rather have another man’s company than his!—But Alick, my boy, I must say that you brought it all on yourself by your tardiness and seeming indifference.”
“I am very sorry if I have seemed to be indifferent, when in fact I was very far from really being so. I hope my dear cousin will forgive me,” bowed Alexander.
“Oh, of course she will. She spoke only from petulance—nothing else,” smiled the old gentleman.
But Anna said nothing.