Rouget bowed--what else could he do?--and thanked Professor Hammerstone, who at least had done him the kindness of giving him a cue to modulate back naturally into the ordinary manner of civilized men; but he scowled at Randolph, who, in the bewilderment caused by Rouget's unexpected address--they had parted last as any expectant father and son-in-law might, three weeks before--had nearly laughed at his sudden downfall. "I vill rekvest you to valk aside vit me one instant, sair. Dis vay." Randolph followed, and presently they were out of the crowd, pacing the grass in silence. Rouget cleared his throat, pushed out his chest, and strove to be grand once more. "It surprises me, Mistaire Jordan, to observe you in ze society of Mademoiselle Rouget. I demand zat you do not intrude yourself again." "Not speak to my promised wife, Mr. Rouget? I do not understand." "Understand zen, sair, zat mademoiselle is no more promessed to you. You mus be fol to expect it. Ze son of your fazer mus know so much. He has vat you call 'chiselled' and 'gouged' me of my money, and my shares, and land. He has----" "Mr. Rouget! Is it the part of a gentleman to speak of my father in such terms to me? I did not think you would have done it. I know nothing of business transactions between you and my father. I presume both are men of the world. It would be impertinent in me to inquire into your affairs. But you yourself have sanctioned my pretensions to Adéline's hand, and our engagement." "Have ze bounty to speake of Mademoiselle Rouget by her proper title--Mademoiselle Rouget de La Hache-young sair! Ze promesse or contract is now forfeit, as you should know, by ze _chicane_ of--of _monsieur voire père_," with a shrug and a low bow. "I mus rekvest you vill not again intrude yourself on ze presence of mademoiselle my daughtaire, who is on ze point to make a retraite at ze Convent of ze Sacred Heart, and von day may have ze blessedness to become _réligieuse_. Mademoiselle Rouget vill not be at home to you in future." And thereupon the little gentleman executed his very finest bow, exhibiting both rows of his perfectly-fitting false teeth from ear to ear, and turned away. He was surprised, a minute later, on turning his head, to observe that Randolph, at a yard or two of distance, was pursuing the same course as himself towards where his daughter was sitting. "Mistaire Jordan! I protest! Have I not defended you from coming in presence of my daughtaire? Vould you draw _esclandre_ on mademoiselle before _tout le monde?_" "I must return Mademoiselle Rouget's fan, sir." Rouget held forth his hand ready to become the bearer; but, disregarding the motion, Randolph only quickened his pace, Rouget following as quickly as he dared without appearing to run a race.