I tell you what,"-- she continued, turning away as she spoke--"I will never speak to you again, Frank, until you apologise to Mr Mawley for the language you have used!" She then left my side, taking Miss Pimpernell's arm and saying something about having a long chat with her.
The end of it was that she had her way.
I had to go back to search for the curate and ask his pardon, like a dog with its tail between its legs.
I was certain he would exult over it, and he did.
He had not the generosity to meet me half-way and accept my apology frankly at once.
He made me humble myself to the full, seizing the opportunity to read me a long homily on Christian forbearance, in which, I fervently believed at the time, he was almost as deficient as myself.
However, I had the consolation of knowing that my apology was not made on his account, but entirely for the sake of my darling Min; although, I confess, I did not like to see her taking such an interest in him as to ask it of me..