"No, tell me," said her father sharply, showing how little control he
had over himself.

"Well, I think I have beaten him so far. He is very demonstrative, and
acts as if I belonged to him. Did I not manage to always meet him in
company with others, he would come at once to an open declaration. As
it is, I cannot prevent it much longer. He is coming this evening, and
I fear he will press matters. He seems to think that the asking is a
mere form, and that our extremity will leave no choice."

"You must avoid him a little longer. Come, we will go to the theatre,
and then you might be sick for a few days."

In a few minutes they were off, and were scarcely well away when Mr.
Fox, dressed in more style than he could carry gracefully, appeared.

"Miss Edith am out," said Hannibal loftily.

"I half believe you lie," muttered Mr. Fox, looking very black.

"Sarch de house, sah. It am a berry gentlemanly proceeding."

"Where has she gone? and whom did she go with?"

"I hab no orders to say," said Hannibal, looking fixedly at the
ceiling of the vestibule.

The knightly suitor turned on his heel, muttering, "They are playing
me false."