"
"Very much obliged, I am sure," he said, politely. "When men propose to
fight, it is so extremely pleasant to find a woman appear to throw a
protecting arm over them!"
"Oh, I am not going to be repelled by any of your ferocious sentiments,"
said she, good-naturedly. "I am a friend of both of you--I hope; and I
won't have anything of the kind--I tell you I won't allow it--"
"I'm afraid your intervention has come too late," said he, quietly.
"Why?" she demanded.
"Oh, it isn't worth speaking about," said he. "The young gentleman went
a little too far--he has got to be taught a lesson, that is all--"
"Oh, listen to him!--listen to his bloodthirstiness!" she exclaimed, in
affected horror; and then she suddenly altered her tone. "Come, now, Mr.
Moore, you're not seriously going to try to harm that poor boy! He is a
very nice boy, as honest and simple-minded as you could wish. And such a
pretty boy, too--no, no, it is quite absurd--"
"You are right there," said he. "It is quite absurd. The whole thing is
absurd. But it has gone too far."
Here Miss Burgoyne was called.
"Will you leave it in my hands?" she said, leisurely rising from her
chair, and tucking up her long train so that she might safely pass into
the wings.
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