Saying this, he took her in his arms and deliberately kissed her two or three times. Katie then darted away and entered the carriage, to find Mrs. Russell speechless with indignation.
The moment Katie had gone, up came Russell in a fury.
"Look here, sir!" he cried, shaking his fist at Ashby. "I say, sir! Look here, sir! You scoundrel! Didn't I tell you—"
"And look here, you!" said Ashby, in a stern voice, laying his hand heavily on the other's shoulder, "none of this insolence, my good man, or I shall have to teach you better manners. You know perfectly well that Katie is engaged to me, and that I mean to make her my wife."
"You shall never!" cried Russell, passionately; "never—never!"
"Pooh!" exclaimed Ashby, contemptuously.
"I'm her guardian," said Russell.
"That may be," said Ashby, calmly, "but only for a few months longer. I can wait. Don't be alarmed."
"You shall never marry her!"
"Pooh, my good man! attend to your luggage."