Do you remember what you said to me the day you came?
and am I not bound to tell you after that, that your marriage with this or that young lady is not matter of special interest to me?
Still, as your friend--" "Well, as my friend!" "I shall be glad to know-- But I am not going to beg for your confidence; only I tell you this fairly, that no man is so mean in my eyes as a man who fights under false colours." "And am I fighting under false colours ?" "Yes, you are." And now, as she spoke, the Lady Alexandrina blushed beneath her hat; and dull as was the remaining light of the evening, Crosbie, looking into her face, saw her heightened colour.

"Yes, you are.

A gentleman is fighting under false colours who comes into a house like this, with a public rumour of his being engaged, and then conducts himself as though nothing of the kind existed.

Of course, it is not anything to me specially; but that is fighting under false colours.

Now, sir, you may redeem the promise you made me when you first came here,--or you may let it alone." It must be acknowledged that the lady was fighting her battle with much courage, and also with some skill.