The two rivals looked at each other, tittered, and bowed.
“Ah! yes—I dare say—observed it, no doubt!” said Augustus, when his emotion had subsided.
“Why, yes—I should have been blind indeed could I have failed to remark it,” responded Julius.
“Ah yes—you’re right—yes—Miss Gray’s attentions have been particularly marked, certainly—yes.”
“They have been, sir, very, very marked—she’s quite taken, poor thing, I believe!”
“Yes, poor creature!—sadly smitten indeed!—The lady has confessed as much to you perhaps, sir?”
Mr. Candy looked surprised at the remark of his companion, and replied “Why really, sir, that is a question which”—
“Ah, yes, I beg pardon, I was wrong—yes, I ought to have considered—but candidly, sir, what do you think of the match?”
“’Pon my honour, my dear sir,” exclaimed Julius most feelingly, colouring slightly at the question, which he thought was rather home-thrust.
“Ah, yes, to be sure, it is rather a delicate question, considering, you know, that one is in the presence of the party himself, is it not?”