"No, I don't," he said. "I always disliked the habit, and I was determined that Julian shouldn't contract it. But I've lived in a set that was not over particular; and I suppose I fell into their ways now and then."
"Apart from the moral point of view, no gentleman ever does it!" said Janetta, hotly.
"Perhaps not. Perhaps I'm not a gentleman. My relations, the publicans of Roxby, certainly were not. The bad strain in us will out, you see."
"Oh, Cousin Wyvis, I did not mean that," said Janetta, now genuinely distressed. "It is only that—I do wish you would not talk in that way—use those words, I mean. Julian is sure to catch them up, and you see yourself that that would be a pity."
"I am to govern my tongue then for Julian's sake?"
"Yes, and for your own."
"Do you care whether I govern it or not, Janetta?"
How oddly soft and tender his voice had grown!
"Yes, I do care," she answered, not very willingly, but compelled to truthfulness by her own conscience and his constraining gaze.
"Then I swear I will," he exclaimed, impetuously. "It is something to find a woman caring whether one is good or bad, and I won't prove myself utterly unworthy of your care."