“My fair lady! for what, sir, may I ask?”
“Why, sir,” stammered the colonel, “to state the truth, for, as a gentleman, and a man of honour, I ought not to be ashamed to acknowledge my error—for—the very improper behaviour which I was guilty of last night.”
“Improper behaviour, sir!—damnation! with my wife?” roared Mr Sullivan, in his rage. “What behaviour, sir? and when, sir?”
“Really, sir, I was too much affected with the wine to know any thing which passed. I did hope to have addressed the lady in person on the subject, and I came here with that intention.”
“I dare say you did, sir?”
“But,” continued the colonel, “as it appears I am not to have that honour, I consider that I have done my duty in requesting that you will convey my sentiments of regret for what has passed;—and, now, sir, I wish you a good morning.”
“Good morning,” retorted the husband, with a sneer; “and observe, sir, I will not trouble you to call again, William, show this gentleman outside the door.”
The colonel, who was descending the stairs, turned round to Mr Sullivan at the latter part of his speech, and then, as if thinking better of it, he resumed his descent, and the door was immediately closed upon him.
Mr Sullivan, as soon as he was satisfied that the colonel was shut out, immediately repaired to his wife’s dressing-room, where he found her reading.
“Madam,” said he, fixing his eyes sternly on her, “I have been informed of what took place last night.”