Part 20 (1/2)
”Oh, certainly, you h it may appear very vain to you-- what to think of his new acquaintance, whose quizzing manner, to use the technical word, did not please him
”I told Mowbray very frankly, however, why I could not co,” pursued Hoffland, with the air of one child teasing another; ”and I think he appreciated my reason I was afraid on Miss Lucy's account”
”Afraid!”
”Yes”
”On Lucy's account!”
”On _Miss_ Lucy's account,” said Hoffland, e the ”Miss”
”Oh, well, sir,” said Denis, with a slight air of coldness; ”I don't deny that I rong in so speaking of a lady, but I don't see that _you_ had the right to correct , ”you take my little speeches too seriously”
”No, sir; and if I showed so”
”Oh, really now! no apologies,” said Hoffland laughing; ”I ah that is not an unusual thing withsettled the question of the proper o on and tell you--as you seemed interested--why I did not feel myself at liberty to accept Mr
Mowbray's invitation--or Ernest's: I call him Ernest, and he calls me Charles”
”You seem to be well acquainted with him,” said Denis
”Oh, we are sworn friends!--of four days' standing”
Denis looked at his coreat curiosity
”Mowbray--the most reserved of men in friendshi+p!” he ht these words; ”but I am not a common person, Mr Denis Re some coolness at his companion's satirical manner: his manner alone was satirical--the words, as we may perceive, were scarcely so
”Yes,” continued Hoffland, ”and I aeneral rules--just as Crichton was”
”Crichton?”
”Yes; the ad uttered this conceited sentence with a delightful little toss of the head, Hoffland laughed
Denismore and more averse to this co of Roseland, andMowbray's invitation,” pursued Hoffland, s; ”the reason may surprise you”
”Possibly, if you will tell me what it is,” said Denis
”Why, it is the si in the world I come from the mountains, you know”
”No, I did not know it before, sir,” replied Denis
”Well, such at least is the fact Now, in the irls are prettier, and theof the sort,” replied Denis coldly