"Certainly not," said he. "You have no right to know anything about it.
The quarrel was forced upon me; I had no wish to harm your pretty boy,
nor have I much now--except in trying to keep myself from being harmed.
But that is all over now; and this thing has to be seen through to the
end now."
He held open the door for her; and then he accompanied her along the
passage and up the steps, until they were both ready for their entrance
on the stage.
"Men are so obstinate," said she, with an air of vexation; "so obstinate
and foolish. But I don't care; I'll see if I can't get something done; I
won't allow two dear friends of mine to do anything so stupid if I can
help it. Why, the idea!--getting into a quarrel with a harmless young
fellow like that! You ought to have been kind to him for my sake--for he
really is such a dear boy--so simple and good-natured--"
"_But where is Grace?_" said a voice out there in the wide ball-room;
and as this was Miss Burgoyne's cue, she tripped lightly on to the stage
with her smiling answer: "_One kiss, papa, before the guests arrive._"
And, as it turned out, there was no further opportunity of talk that
night between Miss Burgoyne and Mr.
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