As soon as he could speak he poured forth a torrent of exclamations with amazing volubility, in the midst of which his keen black eyes scrutinized very closely the faces of the ladies, and finally turned an interrogative glance upon Hawbury, who sat on his horse regarding the new-comer with a certain mild surprise not unmingled with superciliousness.

Hawbury's chin was in the air, his eyes rested languidly upon the stranger, and his left hand toyed with his left whisker.

He really meant no offense whatever.

He knew absolutely nothing about the stranger, and had not the slightest intention of giving offense.

It was simply a way he had.
It was merely the normal attitude of the English swell before he is introduced.