"You called me a ridiculous puppy," said I.
"You are mistaken, young man. I am not in the habit of speaking my thoughts aloud."
I deserved this cut for my folly, and felt keenly that I had placed myself in an absurd position.
"My uncle is right," said I, to myself, as I retraced my steps to Hatton Garden. "I am a babe in my knowledge of the world. I must go more into society, or I shall for ever be getting into such ridiculous scrapes."
At dinner my uncle met me with a serious face.
"What kept you from the office, Geoffrey, this morning?"
I, willing to act openly with him, narrated to him the adventure I had met with.
"I think I know the lady," said he. "She is not very tall—is fair complexioned, with blue eyes and light brown hair. Rather pretty than otherwise."
"Rather pretty. She is beautiful, Sir."
"Phew!" said Mr. Moncton. "We see with other eyes. Young men are always blind. The girl is well enough—and better still, she is very rich. Did she tell you her name?"