"What! your great-grandfather married the uncle of somebody's cousin? Is it possible?"
"Now you are laughing at me," said Hoffland, pouting; "what if I did get it a little wrong? I meant that my great-grandmother married the uncle of a cousin of cousin Lucy's wife's great-grandfather's aunt—who——"
"Lucy's wife is then involved, is she, Charles?" asked Mowbray; "but go on."
"No, I won't!" said Hoffland; "you are just trying to confuse and embarrass me. I will not tell you any more: but cousin Lucy understands; don't you, Miss Lucy?"
"Quite enough to understand that we occupy a closer relationship than we seem to," said Lucy, threatening to burst into laughter.
Hoffland gave her a warning glance; and then assuming a polite and graceful smile, asked:
"Pray, what were you and Mr. Denis talking of, my dear Ernest? Come, tell a fellow!"
Lucy turned away and covered her face, which was crimson with laughter.
"We were speaking of the quarrel which we were unfortunate enough to have, sir," said poor Denis coldly; "and I referred Mr. Mowbray to you for an account of it."
"To me?" said Hoffland smiling; "why not tell him yourself?"