But I was quite ruthless.

I laid my hand on his shoulder, as he was stooping over her like a hen over a chicken.
'Excuse me for one moment, Mr.Gilchrist!' said I.
He started and span about in answer to my touch, and exhibited a face of inarticulate wonder.
'Yes!' I continued, 'it is even myself! Pardon me for interrupting so agreeable a _tete-a-tete_, but you know, my good fellow, we owe a first duty to Mr.Robbie.

It would never do to risk making a scene in the man's drawing-room; so the first thing I had to attend to was to have you warned.

The name I go by is Ducie, too, in case of accidents.' 'I--I say, you know!' cried Ronald.

'Deuce take it, what are you doing here ?' 'Hush, hush!' said I.