"No, I did not know it before, sir," replied Denis.
"Well, such at least is the fact. Now, in the mountains, you know, the girls are prettier, and the men handsomer."
"I know nothing of the sort," replied Denis coldly.
"Very well," Hoffland replied; "as I have just said, such is nevertheless the fact."
"Indeed, sir?"
"Certainly. Now I am a fair specimen of the mountain men."
Denis looked at his companion with an expression of contempt which he could not repress. Hoffland did not appear to observe it, but went on in the same quizzing tone—for we can find no other word—which he had preserved from the commencement of the interview.
"Feeling that Miss Lucy had probably not seen any one like myself," he said, "I was naturally anxious that her brother should prepare her."
"Mr. Hoffland!"
"Sir?"