"I am positive Mr. Tinman did not speak of you, papa," said Annette, and
turned her eyes from the half-paralyzed figure of her father on Herbert
to put him to proof.
"No, but he made himself heard when it was being discussed. At any rate,
it's known; and the thing to do is to meet it."
"I'm off. I'll not stop a day. I'd rather live on the Continent," said
Van Diemen, shaking himself, as to prepare for the step into that desert.
"Mr. Tinman has been most generous!" Annette protested tearfully.
"I won't say no: I think you are deceived and lend him your own
generosity," said Herbert. "Can you suppose it generous, that even in the
extremest case, he should speak of the matter to your father, and talk of
denouncing him? He did it."
"He was provoked."
"A gentleman is distinguished by his not allowing himself to be
provoked."
"I am engaged to him, and I cannot hear it said that he is not a
gentleman."
The first part of her sentence Annette uttered bravely; at the conclusion
she broke down.
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