Harrison's tremulous fit increased, while I was burning with indignation, and rose passionately from my seat.
"Geoffrey"—pronounced in an undertone, restrained me from committing an act of violence. I resumed my stool, muttering audibly between my teeth—
"Contemptible puppy!"
I was quite ready for a quarrel, but Theophilus, contrary to my expectations, did not choose to take any notice of my imprudent speech. Not that he wanted personal courage. Like the wasp, he could, when unprovoked, attack others, and sting with tenfold malice when he felt or fancied an affront. His forbearance on the present occasion, I attributed to the very handsome riding-dress in which he had encased his slight and elegant form. A contest with a strong, powerful young fellow like me, might have ended in its demolition:
Slashing his boot with his riding-whip, and glancing carelessly towards the window, he said, with an air of perfect indifference,
"Well, if the rain means to pour in this way all day, it is certain that I cannot prosecute my journey to Dover on horseback. I must take the coach, and leave the groom to follow with the horses."
"Dover!" I repeated, with an involuntary start, "are you off for France?"
"Yes" (with a weary yawn); "I shall not return until I have made the tour of Europe, and I just stepped in for a moment to say good-by."
"Unusually kind," said I, with a sneer.
He remained silent for a few minutes, and seemed slightly embarrassed, as if he found difficulty in bringing out what he had to say.