“Ah! ya-as, bai Jove! mutual acquaintance, and all that. Heard the Lingons speak of you, and being riding this wa-a-ay, took the liberty—”
“Yes!” said Mrs Brandon rather sharply.
“Ya-as, just so, bai Jove!” said Max obtusely. “Took the liberty of giving you a call. Country’s ra-ather dull just now: don’t you find it so?”
“Not at all,” said Mrs Brandon, who was evidently highly amused.
“Just so! ya-as, bai Jove!—of course!” said Max. “Miss Bedford be down soon, I suppose? Hope you like her—most amiable girl.”
“I quite agree with you,” said Mrs Brandon.
“Ya-as, just so—of course!” drawled Max, who either could not or would not see the half-amused, half-contemptuous way in which his remarks were received. “Thought I’d call and see her,” he continued. “We all thought a deal of her; but she would go.”
“Indeed!” said Mrs Brandon.
“Ya-as,” drawled Max. “Fancy it was some annoyance she met with from young Vining: not that I wish to say anything—bai Jove, no!”
“I’m sure Miss Bedford will be delighted to hear of the kind interest you take in her,” said Mrs Brandon.