“He did. I gave him a leveller; he asked me for satisfaction, which I refused to give him; he then slapped my cheek, and asked if I would now meet him. I call that his challenge, not mine!”
“How very irregular!” remarked the Earl, slightly amused.
“Irregular! The whole affair is quite abominable! God knows I don’t want to quarrel with your brother — not but what it’s time someone taught him not to persecute defenceless girls with his damned attentions!”
“Forgive me, Lucy, but what is your interest in Miss Bolderwood? I have myself called Martin to book for — unmannerly conduct towards her, but it ought, I think, to be remembered that they are old playfellows, and have not been used to stand upon ceremony with each other.”
“Oh, yes! Boy and girl stuff! I know that!” Ulverston said impatiently. He took a turn about the room. “Well! I imagine you have guessed! Nothing is to be announced until after her presentation, but you may wish me happy, Ger!”
“With all my heart! She will make you a delightful wife, and you will have the felicity of knowing yourself to be the object of a general envy!”
The Viscount grinned, as he grasped his hand. “Is she not beautiful, Ger? Those speaking eyes! So much countenance!”
“Indeed she is!” Gervase responded warmly.
“I can tell you, I think myself fortunate to have secured her affections before you had done so!”
“I cannot flatter myself that she ever thought more of me than of Martin.”