“Ah! poor fellow, it is a melancholy affair. In those pale cheeks, that wasted though still graceful form, and the weak, languid, and unhappy, but deeply interesting tout ensemble, you perceive the sad results of—am I at liberty to mention it?—of an unfortunate attachment.”
“Upon my word, Freddy, you are too bad,” exclaimed I half angrily, though I could scarcely refrain from laughing, for the pathetic expression of his countenance was perfectly irresistible. “Miss Saville, I can assure you—let me beg of you to believe, that there is not a word of truth in what he has stated.”
“Wait a moment, you're so dreadfully fast, my dear fellow, you won't allow a man time to finish what he is saying,” remonstrated my tormentor—“attachment to his studies I was going to add, only you interrupted me.”
“I see I shall have to chastise you before you learn to behave yourself properly,” replied I, shaking my fist at him playfully; “remember you taught me how to use the gloves at Dr. Mildman's, and I have not quite forgotten the science even yet.”
“Hit a man your own size, you great big monster you,” rejoined Coleman, affecting extreme alarm. “Miss Saville, I look to you to protect me from his tyranny; ladies always take the part of the weak and oppressed.”
“But they do not interfere to shield evil-doers from the punishment due to their misdemeanours,” replied Miss Saville archly.
“There now,” grumbled Freddy, “that's always the way; every one turns against me. I'm a victim, though I have not formed an unfortunate attachment for—anything or anybody.”
“I should like to see you thoroughly in love for once in your life, Freddy,” said I; “it would be as good as a comedy.”
“Thank ye,” was the rejoinder, “you'd be a pleasant sort of fellow to make a confidant of, I don't think. Here's a man now, who calls himself one's friend, and fancies it would be 'as good as a comedy' to witness the display of our noblest affections, and would have all the tenderest emotions of our nature laid bare, for him to poke fun at—the barbarian!” “I did not understand Mr. Fairlegh's remark to apply to affaires du cour in general, but simply to the effects likely to be produced in your case by such an attack,” observed Miss Saville, with a quiet smile.
“A very proper distinction,” returned I; “I see that I cannot do better than leave my defence in your hands.”