"I'm very glad I do," said Hoffland; "but do not again utter such unfeeling words—I like a girl!"
"No, I will not—pray pardon me," replied Mowbray.
Hoffland's lip was puckered up, until it resembled a rose-leaf rumpled by the finger of a school-girl.
"Then there is another objection to my going out this evening, Ernest," he said: "you see I return to the subject."
"What objection?"
"You ought to tell your sister what a fascinating young man I am, and put her upon her guard——"
"Charles!" cried Mowbray, with a strong disposition to laugh; "you must pardon my saying that your vanity is the most amusing I have ever encountered."
"Is it!" asked Hoffland, smiling; "but come, don't you think me fascinating?"
"Upon my word," said Mowbray, "were I to utter the exact truth, I should say yes; for I have never yet found myself so completely conciliated by a stranger. Just consider that we have not known each other a week yet——"
"But four days!" laughed Hoffland; "be accurate!"