'I have no doubt our "old soldier" here deems him a very eligible parti for anyone; a subaltern, with two shirts a week and a few dickies, by Jove!' he continued.
'How—how coarse you are!' said Mary, with her silvery laugh again; 'but don't let grand-uncle hear you sneering thus. He, too, was a subaltern once.'
'Yes, but with the rent-roll of Eaglescraig! I wish him well out of our neighbourhood anyway,' he added threateningly.
'Why, what harm has he done you?'
'None as yet,' replied Hew, getting more sulky than ever; 'but I may harm him!'
'How?'
'If he comes in my way with you, Mary, or anyone else—understand that clearly, cousin.'
Mary's brow darkened, and a haughty expression, not unmixed with alarm, stole into her hazel eyes and soft face, as she said, while quickly using her fan:
'Hew, you forget yourself, and me too! How dare you adopt this tone?'
'Don't think to make a fool of me, Mary.'