He was in a bad mood, for
things were not going smoothly at home. The attitude of his rival at
his cousin's feet stung him into a jealous rage and he remarked
bitterly as he strode past them, "Don't let my inopportune arrival
disturb this charming tete-a-tete. In fact, I had no business to
remain at my uncle's home at all, even at the call of duty, after
Captain Maynard signified his intention of making it the long-
continued field of his operations."
Cut to the quick, Maynard sprang to his feet, but Miss Lou merely
made a gesture of annoyance and went to her room.
"Lieutenant Whately," began the captain in low, stern tones, "were I
not in some sense a guest, even though an unwelcome one--"
"You are no guest of mine, sir, nor indeed of anyone that I am aware
of."
"Thank you. I was haunted by some restraining consideration of
Southern hospitality, but if I am free--"
"You are perfectly free, sir," again interrupted Whately, dropping
his hand on the hilt of his sabre. "Let me also add that a Southern
gentleman would not have made Southern hospitality a subterfuge for
an opportunity to press a suit repugnant to the family concerned.
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