"I know it; and it is that which hurts me."
"But you can't expect me to give up the woman I love for you, can you?"
"Has she consented to be your wife?"
"No; I've never asked her."
"Then, you confounded, conceited cad, how can you presume so upon her consent?"
There was no ill-temper in the remark. They frequently used such tender epithets with each other; and Pierrepont only smiled as he answered, with perfect good nature:
"Did you ever know me to set my heart upon anything that I did not accomplish?"
"No, confound you!" returned his friend. "But I'll be hanged if you shall succeed with this!"
"Why?"
"You can't expect me to give up the woman I love for you," returned Olney, repeating his friend's words with a sort of sneer; "now, can you? Well I propose to marry Miss de Barryos myself."