He even got up to search for his hat, and was only induced to resume his seat by the physical exertions of his host.
"I didn't mean to be offensive," said the latter.

"But you were," said the aggrieved man.

Hardy apologized.
"Talk of that kind is a slight to my future wife," said Nugent, firmly.
"Besides, what business is it of yours ?" Hardy regarded him thoughtfully.

It was some time since he had seen Miss Nugent, and he felt that he was losing valuable time.

He had hoped great things from the advent of her brother, and now his intimacy seemed worse than useless.