There was a silence; Rowland said nothing because he was watching Miss Garland.

"Why should I stand on ceremony with Mary and Mr.Mallet ?" Roderick presently added.

"Mary pretends to believe I 'm a fine fellow, and if she believes it as she ought to, nothing I can say will alter her opinion.

Mallet knows I 'm a hopeless humbug; so I need n't mince my words with him." "Ah, my dear, don't use such dreadful language!" said Mrs.Hudson.

"Are n't we all devoted to you, and proud of you, and waiting only to hear what you want, so that we may do it ?" Roderick got up, and began to walk about the room; he was evidently in a restless, reckless, profoundly demoralized condition.