"Woman, do you see what your son has done?" demanded Major Billcord, who was the first to break the impressive silence.
"I am very sorry, sir," pleaded the poor woman, stepping between Paul and his victims, in order to prevent him from doing them any further mischief if he should be disposed to renew the combat.
"Sorry for it!" exclaimed the magnate, as if simple regret could atone for a blow given by a plebeian to a patrician. "Is this the way you bring up your son?"
"I am very sorry, Major Billcord, but he has been greatly provoked. By your leave, sir, it was Mr. Walker that began it."
"It is false, marm! Your brute of a son struck the first blow; he has confessed it to me," puffed the magnate.
"But Mr. Walker had first insulted my daughter; he had seized hold of her, and was trying to force her into the boat when Paul interfered," Mrs. Bristol explained with as much meekness as the subject would permit.
"Nonsense, woman! Seized hold of your daughter! Don't talk such stuff to me. Walker did not mean to do her any harm," added Major Billcord with the utmost contempt.
"I only asked her to let me row her about the bay in the boat," the young gentleman explained.
"It was impertinent in her to refuse when my son honored her with his notice," continued the major.