“Lord Oakleigh! why do you thus impede my progress? If you have anything to say, I am ready to hear it.”
“Oho! you’ve found your tongue, have you? Well, my gay young spark, I have something to say, and you may find it of importance. I have to inform you that you have made yourself about as familiar at the castle as will be good for you. Henceforth you will give that place as wide a berth as possible. To come to the point, you will have nothing more to say to the Lady Cordelia. I think you can understand that, and I can assure you, you had better take heed.”
“Is that all, my lord?”
“Is—that—all! Isn’t it enough? Do you intend to obey me?”
“Lord Oakleigh, I answer you frankly—I do not recognize your right to command me.”
“You don’t, eh?”
“Certainly not.”
“Then, by —! I’ll give you a taste of my quality. I give you fair warning. I command you to cease all intercourse with Cordelia Chester! And I give you fair warning that if you do not, here and now, give me your promise to that effect, I will punish you! Aye, I will put it beyond your power to trouble her more! If you can not put that into plain English I shall not translate it for you. I’ll expound it in a way you’ll be likely to remember while you live! What say you? Shall I have your promise?”
“Lord Oakleigh, you have no right to speak—”
“Silence! Will you promise?”