She hasn't broken it off by word or letter.

If you don't mind, I'd like to have it broken off in the regular way.

It doesn't seem quite proper for her to remain engaged to me right up to the instant she marries my grandfather.

Or is it possible that she intends to remain bound to me during the lifetime of my grandparent, with the idea of holding me to my bargain when he is gone ?" "Don't be ridiculous," was all that Mrs.Tresslyn said in response to this sarcasm, but she said it scathingly.
For a full minute they stood looking into each other's eyes, each appraising the other, one offensively, the other defensively.

She had the advantage of him, for she was prepared to defend herself while he was in the position of one who attacks without strategy and leaps from one exposed spot to another.