I admitted you to my frankest and fullest confidence, sir--and,
highly as I prize the advantages of your society, I can't consent to
cultivate your friendship on any other than equal terms." He threw open
his respectable frock-coat and surveyed his visitor with a manly and
virtuous severity.
"I mean no offense!" cried Noel Vanstone, piteously. "Why do you
interrupt me, Mr. Bygrave? Why don't you let me explain? I mean no
offense."
"No offense is taken, sir," said the captain. "You have a perfect right
to the exercise of your own discretion. I am not offended--I only claim
for myself the same privilege which I accord to you." He rose with great
dignity and rang the bell. "Tell Miss Bygrave," he said to the servant,
"that our walk this morning is put off until another opportunity, and
that I won't trouble her to come downstairs."
This strong proceeding had the desired effect. Noel Vanstone vehemently
pleaded for a moment's private conversation before the message was
delivered. Captain Wragge's severity partially relaxed. He sent the
servant downstairs again, and, resuming his chair, waited confidently
for results. In calculating the facilities for practicing on his
visitor's weakness, he had one great superiority over Mrs.
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