"Come, come," exclaimed Oldbuck, "what is the meaning of this? We'll have no swaggering, youngsters! Are you come from the wars abroad to stir up strife in a peaceful land?"
Sir Arthur, too, hoped that the young men would remain calm. But Lovel, from that moment, felt that he was to some extent under suspicion, and so, in a short time, he took the opportunity of bidding the company good-bye, on the plea of the return of a headache which had lately troubled him. He had not ridden far—rather loitering, indeed, to give MacIntyre a chance of overtaking him—when the sound of horse's hoofs behind told him that his adversary had returned to find him. The young officer touched his hat briefly, and began in a haughty tone, "What am I to understand, sir, by your telling me that your address was at my service?"
"Simply," answered Lovel, "that my name is Lovel, and that my residence is, for the present, Fairport, as you will see by this card!"
"And is this," said the soldier, "all the information you are disposed to give me?"
"I see no right you have to require more."
"I find you, sir, in company with my sister," said MacIntyre, "and I have a right to know who is admitted to her society."
"I shall take the liberty of disputing that right," replied Lovel, to the full as haughty in tone and manner.
"I presume then," said the young officer, "since you say you have served in his Majesty's army, you will give me the satisfaction usual among gentlemen."
"I shall not fail," said Lovel.
"Very well, sir," rejoined Hector, and turning his horse's head he galloped off to rejoin the party.