"Then they are here by agreement between you and him?"
"No, sir; they are not. There is no such agreement. But I do not like these interrogatives from a stranger as to matters which should be private."
"You cannot wonder at my interest, Mr. Outhouse."
"You had better restrain it, sir, till Sir Marmaduke arrives. I shall then wash my hands of the affair."
"And she is pretty well;—Emily, I mean?"
"Mrs. Trevelyan's health is good."
"Pray tell her though I could not—might not ask to see her, I came to inquire after her the first moment that I was in London. Pray tell her how much I feel for her;—but she will know that. When Sir Marmaduke is here, of course, we shall meet. When she is once more under her father's wing, she need not be restrained by any absurd commands from a husband who has deserted her. At present, of course, I do not ask to see her."
"Of course, you do not, Colonel Osborne."
"And give my love to Nora;—dear little Nora! There can be no reason why she and I should not shake hands."
"I should prefer that it should not be so in this house," said the clergyman, who was now standing,—in expectation that his unwelcome guest would go.