"How—about something in the avenue, was it?"
"Yes; that you had seen them exchanging marks of their mutual good will, or words to that effect."
"Exactly so, my Lady Rohallion," said Cosmo, slowly emitting the smoke of his pipe.
"What did you mean, Cosmo?" she demanded, with increasing asperity.
"Much more than I said, mother."
"That you saw Quentin kissing Flora?"
"Or Flora kissing Quentin, my dear lady mother, I don't think it makes much difference," said he, with an angry laugh, while she almost trembled with indignation; "but what do you think of your amiable ward and your protégé—a lively young fellow, isn't he?"
"I ought to have been prepared for this," said Lady Rohallion; "indeed, Eleonora Eglinton forewarned me that something of this kind might happen. A separation by school, college, or something else, should have been made whenever Flora came here. I must consult Rohallion, and have such arrangements made for Quentin as shall prevent his interference with the views we have so long cherished for our only son. The foolish girl—the presumptuous boy—to be actually kissing her!"
"Shameful, isn't it?" said Cosmo, who had been despatched somewhat precipitately into the Guards for making love to his mother's maids.
"Such vagaries must be controlled and punished."