"She went this morning."
"And knew that I was coming to-night?"
"How can I tell? I did not think it necessary to talk about it to her."
"You mean you kept it from her? And that you contrived that she should go to her relations—having put me off to give you time to do it—so as to have her out of my way. I know about those relations. They have snubbed and spurned her in her struggles, like the cads they are, and she can't endure them."
"They have been exceedingly attentive to her, and had asked her to visit them a dozen times. They proposed to-day themselves."
"I have it from her sister. And also that she was expecting to stay on here. It was in a letter, dated two days ago. I read it. Mary, it seems to me that you have behaved abominably. You simply turned her out."
"Tony, I will not allow you to talk to me like that. And just let me ask you one question:—Supposing I did, what in the world can it matter to you?"
"Well, I came up on purpose to see her, that's all."
"Oh! You are very complimentary to us. But you don't mean that, of course. You! A man in your position can't possibly have any concern with a girl in hers; at least, you have no business to have any."
"That's worthy of Maude, Polly. In fact, the very words she said to me yesterday."