He began to consider himself a wonder of wit and fascination.

Really it was no trouble at all to entertain a nice, little, soft, round thing like Matty Bell.

He pronounced the shot silk a splendid robe, and asked Matty pointedly what place of amusement she would like best to see in London, and in whose presence she would most happily enjoy it.
Matty could scarcely speak when this remarkable question was addressed to her, unless giggles, blushes, gasps, and "Oh, Gus, how killing you are!" could be taken as a sensible reply.
Under these circumstances Mrs.Bell felt that the less she said about Captain Bertram and that old affair of his with Matty the better.

She always mentioned it now as "that old affair," and whispered in strictest confidence to her friends that Gus, poor dear fellow, was so absurdly jealous of Captain Bertram that she dared not breathe the captain's name in his presence.
"It's awful to see the thunder-clap that comes on Gusty's brow," the good lady would say.

"And what I'm so terrified of is that if he and the captain meet they'll do each other a serious mischief.