The story was over the regiment in half-an-hour; and that very evening Mrs.Major O'Dowd wrote off to her sister Glorvina at O'Dowdstown not to hurry from Dublin--young Osborne being prematurely engaged already.
She complimented the Lieutenant in an appropriate speech over a glass of whisky-toddy that evening, and he went home perfectly furious to quarrel with Dobbin (who had declined Mrs.Major O'Dowd's party, and sat in his own room playing the flute, and, I believe, writing poetry in a very melancholy manner)--to quarrel with Dobbin for betraying his secret.
"Who the deuce asked you to talk about my affairs ?" Osborne shouted indignantly.

"Why the devil is all the regiment to know that I am going to be married?
Why is that tattling old harridan, Peggy O'Dowd, to make free with my name at her d--d supper-table, and advertise my engagement over the three kingdoms?
After all, what right have you to say I am engaged, or to meddle in my business at all, Dobbin ?" "It seems to me," Captain Dobbin began.
"Seems be hanged, Dobbin," his junior interrupted him.

"I am under obligations to you, I know it, a d--d deal too well too; but I won't be always sermonised by you because you're five years my senior.

I'm hanged if I'll stand your airs of superiority and infernal pity and patronage.

Pity and patronage! I should like to know in what I'm your inferior ?" "Are you engaged ?" Captain Dobbin interposed.
"What the devil's that to you or any one here if I am ?" "Are you ashamed of it ?" Dobbin resumed.
"What right have you to ask me that question, sir?
I should like to know," George said.
"Good God, you don't mean to say you want to break off ?" asked Dobbin, starting up.
"In other words, you ask me if I'm a man of honour," said Osborne, fiercely; "is that what you mean?
You've adopted such a tone regarding me lately that I'm ------ if I'll bear it any more." "What have I done?
I've told you you were neglecting a sweet girl, George.