The latter remained in the hall, busy with his ramrod and his gun; the former walked in, and stood with his back to the fire, surveying Mr.Hargrave and me, particularly the former, with a smile of insupportable meaning, accompanied as it was by the impudence of his brazen brow, and the sly, malicious, twinkle of his eye.
'Well, sir ?' said Hargrave, interrogatively, and with the air of one prepared to stand on the defensive.
'Well, sir,' returned his host.
'We want to know if you are at liberty to join us in a go at the pheasants, Walter,' interposed Hattersley from without.

'Come! there shall be nothing shot besides, except a puss or two; I'll vouch for that.' Walter did not answer, but walked to the window to collect his faculties.
Arthur uttered a low whistle, and followed him with his eyes.

A slight flush of anger rose to Hargrave's cheek; but in a moment he turned calmly round, and said carelessly: 'I came here to bid farewell to Mrs.Huntingdon, and tell her I must go to-morrow.' 'Humph! You're mighty sudden in your resolution.

What takes you off so soon, may I ask ?' 'Business,' returned he, repelling the other's incredulous sneer with a glance of scornful defiance.
'Very good,' was the reply; and Hargrave walked away.

Thereupon Mr.
Huntingdon, gathering his coat-laps under his arms, and setting his shoulder against the mantel-piece, turned to me, and, addressing me in a low voice, scarcely above his breath, poured forth a volley of the vilest and grossest abuse it was possible for the imagination to conceive or the tongue to utter.