But I was so much vexed at what I heard, that your concerns have pressed before my own,--You behaved to me yesterday, during dinner, as if something had been told you which lessened or lowered me in your opinion--I beg leave to ask you what it was ?" I was stupified.

The direct bluntness of the demand was much in the style one gentleman uses to another, when requesting explanation of any part of his conduct in a good-humoured yet determined manner, and was totally devoid of the circumlocutions, shadings, softenings, and periphrasis, which usually accompany explanations betwixt persons of different sexes in the higher orders of society.
I remained completely embarrassed; for it pressed on my recollection, that Rashleigh's communications, supposing them to be correct, ought to have rendered Miss Vernon rather an object of my compassion than of my pettish resentment; and had they furnished the best apology possible for my own conduct, still I must have had the utmost difficulty in detailing what inferred such necessary and natural offence to Miss Vernon's feelings.

She observed my hesitation, and proceeded, in a tone somewhat more peremptory, but still temperate and civil--"I hope Mr.Osbaldistone does not dispute my title to request this explanation.

I have no relative who can protect me; it is, therefore, just that I be permitted to protect myself." I endeavoured with hesitation to throw the blame of my rude behaviour upon indisposition--upon disagreeable letters from London.

She suffered me to exhaust my apologies, and fairly to run myself aground, listening all the while with a smile of absolute incredulity.
"And now, Mr.Francis, having gone through your prologue of excuses, with the same bad grace with which all prologues are delivered, please to draw the curtain, and show me that which I desire to see.