"Don Cosme is about to introduce us to the ladies.

You're not going to back out ?" "Certainly not," stammered I, somewhat ashamed at my _gaucherie_.
"He says they're in the drawing-room," whispered the major, in a voice that betokened a degree of suspicion; "but where the plague that is, Heaven only knows! Stand by, my boys!--are your pistols all right ?" "Pshaw, Major! for shame!".