He saw no reason for insulting Robert by saying he had at first overheard her conversation, and that it had been continued to him after she had mistaken one for the other.

He wondered over those of her remarks which he remembered, and his family pride was hurt by them.

He did not conceive that Robert had been much hurt, simply because he betrayed no sign of injured feeling.

Younger members of a family often long retain a curiously lofty conception of their elders, because in childhood they have looked upon them as embodiments of age and wisdom.
Alec, in loose fashion of thought, supposed Robert to be too much occupied by more important affairs to pay heed to a woman's opinion of him, but he cherished a dream of some day explaining to Miss Rexford that she was mistaken in his brother's character.

His pulse beat quicker at the thought, because it would involve nearness to her and equality of conversation.