"After all, men should be more stable.

There is no quarrel, gentlemen." He bowed ceremoniously to Cary, who returned the salute.

Each moved from where he had stood, and the tide at Lynch's came between them.

There was some questioning, some excited speech, some natural disappointment at matters going no further.

It was not clearly understood what offence had been given or what taken, but many felt aggrieved by the check on the threshold of a likely affair.