"You never asked me, my lord."
"You were only eight or nine years old when I saw you last."
"Isn't it a pity you didn't get yourself engaged to me then? Such things have been done."
"If the coast were clear I wonder whether you'd take me now."
"The coast isn't clear, Lord Brotherton."
"No, by George. I wish it were, and so do you too, if you'd dare to say so."
"You think I should be sure to take you."
"I think you would. I should ask you at any rate. I'm not so old by ten years as Houghton."
"Your age would not be the stumbling block."
"What then?"