Harry resumed:
"At least I am able to maintain my wife in what may be considered comfort."
"Your wife!" exclaimed the colonel, his anger blazing out at the word.
"If you use that expression with any prospective reference to Miss
Cathcart, I am master enough in my own family to insure you full
possession of the presumption. I wish you good morning."
The angry man of war turned on his slippered heel, and was striding away.
"One word, I beg," said Harry.
The colonel had too much courtesy in his nature not to stop and turn half towards the speaker.
"I beg to assure you," said Harry, "that I shall continue to cherish the hope that after-thoughts will present my conduct, as well as myself, in a more favourable light to Colonel Cathcart."
And he lifted his hat, and walked away by the gate.
"By Jove!" said the colonel, to himself, notwithstanding the rage he was in, "the fellow can express himself like a gentleman, anyhow."
And so he went back to his room, where I heard him pacing about for hours. I believe he found that his better self was not to be so easily put down as he had supposed; and that that better self sided with Adela and Harry.