"That is supposed to account for my behaviour?"
She turned her face to him. "Oh, Major blaring! say nothing unworthy of yourself. That would be a new pain to me."
He bowed. In spite of a prepossessing anger, some little softness crept through his heart.
"You may conceive that I have dropped my pride," she said. "That is the case, or my pride is of a better sort."
"Madam, I fully hope and trust," said he.
"And believe," she added, twisting his words to the ironic tongue. "You certainly must believe that my pride has sunk low. Did I ever speak to you in this manner before?"
"Not in this manner, I can attest."
"Did I speak at all, when I was hurt?" She betrayed that he had planted a fresh sting.
"If my recollection serves me," said he, "your self-command was remarkable."
Mrs. Lovell slackened her pace.