"What are you talking about?" asked Hazard.
"Don't be silly," the girl said impatiently. "I read something more than the society and fashion columns in the newspapers. Tell me. Why did he break Mr. Smith's jaw?—who was the young lady?—and what did Mr. Smith say of her? I know it was Elise; but tell me about it—and hurry, for those people are getting hungry."
"I must not tell that, Lola," Hazard answered her seriously.
"A man should have no secrets from his—proposed—wife."
"Make it promised wife and I'll agree," Hazard replied eagerly, taking her hand.
"No; we'll leave it proposed awhile longer," she answered him archly. "I've become so accustomed to it that way that I'd hate to change it." The smile she gave him as she slowly drew away her hand would have bribed any man to treason.
"But we will compromise it," Lola continued. "I will be real careful of your honour. I'll ask you a question, and if the answer is yes you needn't answer it. Now—was it not an insult to Elise that Mr. Rutledge resented?"
"Lola, when you said that word wife a moment since you were—heavenly."
"Hush your nonsense, Ollie.... I knew it was Elise when you said that thing in the parlour.... Did Mr. Rutledge really break his jaw?"
"Oh, it was beautiful, beautiful," said Hazard with enthusiasm. "Such a clean left-hander! Dropped him like a beef—he's big as two of Rutledge—in a wink—before he could finish his sentence,—the low-bred dog! Yes, beautifully done, beaut—"