"Why, Captain, what's the matter!" said Clayley. "Don Cosme is about to
introduce us to the ladies. You're not going to back out?"
"Certainly not," stammered I, somewhat ashamed at my _gaucherie_.
"He says they're in the drawing-room," whispered the major, in a voice
that betokened a degree of suspicion; "but where the plague that is,
Heaven only knows! Stand by, my boys!--are your pistols all right?"
"Pshaw, Major! for shame!"