The thought irritated him, and when Egerton handed him his cigar-case, he pushed it away from him with a contemptuous gesture.
‘A truce to this tomfoolery, Egerton!’ he exclaimed, jumping up from his chair and striding across the room in his excitement. ‘You can guess what I’ve come here to talk about.’
‘Well, suppose I can?’ answered Gurth, quietly helping himself from the rejected case.
‘You will spare me the trouble of any introductory remarks. I may as well be plain, Gurth. In the old days we didn’t choose our phrases, and we needn’t now. You are paying a good deal too much attention to Ruth Adrian, and I strongly object to it.’
‘I have no doubt you do,’ answered Gurth; ‘but the young lady may not.’
‘Tush, man! we are not rehearsing a comedy. Drop your repartee. Ruth does object to your visits very much.’
‘I am sorry to hear it; but I visit her parents’ house at her parents’ invitation.’
‘Good. Then you’ll remain away in future at my invitation.’
‘What the deuce do you mean, Mr. Marston?’
‘What I say. If it isn’t clear to you, I’ll put it plainer. I request you to keep away from the Adrians’ while Ruth remains with them.’