"Then the less said the better," I interposed, laughing.
"You said you would hear me."
"I will; go on."
"I want you to understand, in the first place, that I am engaged to Miss Collingsby," he continued, with a pause, to note the effect upon me.
"You have said that three times; but I don't believe I shall be able to understand it if you say it three times more."
"Do you doubt my word?"
"I only say that my understanding is defective on that point."
"I think I ought to know."
"So ought Miss Collingsby; but she don't. I'm afraid she is as stupid as I am."
"Do you mean to say that she has denied it?"