'Felix,' she said, 'you won't mention that to Mr Montague!'
'Mention what? Oh! about that woman, Mrs Hurtle? Indeed I shall. A man who does that kind of thing ought to be crushed;--and, by heavens, if he does it to you, he shall be crushed.'
'I want to tell you, Felix. If it is so, I will see him no more.'
'If it is so! I tell you I know it.'
'Mamma has written to Roger. At least I feel sure she has.'
'What has she written to him for? What has Roger Carbury to do with our affairs?'
'Only you said he knew! If he says so, that is, if you and he both say that he is to marry that woman,--I will not see Mr Montague again. Pray do not go to him. If such a misfortune does come, it is better to bear it and to be silent. What good can be done?'
'Leave that to me,' said Sir Felix, walking out of the room with much fraternal bluster. Then he went forth, and at once had himself driven to Paul Montague's lodgings. Had Hetta not been foolish enough to remind him of his duty, he would not now have undertaken the task. He too, no doubt, remembered as he went that duels were things of the past, and that even fists and sticks are considered to be out of fashion. 'Montague,' he said, assuming all the dignity of demeanour that his late sorrows had left to him, 'I believe I am right in saying that you are engaged to marry that American lady, Mrs Hurtle.'
'Then let me tell you that you were never more wrong in your life. What business have you with Mrs Hurtle?'
'When a man proposes to my sister, I think I've a great deal of business,' said Sir Felix.
'Well;--yes; I admit that fully. If I answered you roughly, I beg your pardon. Now as to the facts. I am not going to marry Mrs Hurtle. I suppose I know how you have heard her name;--but as you have heard it, I have no hesitation in telling you so much. As you know where she is to be found you can go and ask her if you please. On the other hand, it is the dearest wish of my heart to marry your sister. I trust that will be enough for you.'
'You were engaged to Mrs Hurtle?'
'My dear Carbury, I don't think I'm bound to tell you all the details of my past life. At any rate, I don't feel inclined to do so in answer to hostile questions. I dare say you have heard enough of Mrs Hurtle to justify you, as your sister's brother, in asking me whether I am in any way entangled by a connection with her. I tell you that I am not. If you still doubt, I refer you to the lady herself. Beyond that, I do not think I am called on to go; and beyond that I won't go,--at any rate, at present.' Sir Felix still blustered, and made what capital he could out of his position as a brother; but he took no steps towards positive revenge. 'Of course, Carbury,' said the other, 'I wish to regard you as a brother; and if I am rough to you, it is only because you are rough to me.'