"Ah, that is nothing."
"And I have felt something of the same thing for another,—a longing for his welfare, a delight to hear him praised, a charm in his presence,—so strong a feeling for his interest, that were he to go to wrack and ruin, I too, should, after a fashion, be wracked and ruined. But it has not been love either."
"Do I know whom you mean? May I name him? It is Phineas Finn."
"Of course it is Phineas Finn."
"Did he ever ask you,—to love him?"
"I feared he would do so, and therefore accepted Mr. Kennedy's offer almost at the first word."
"I do not quite understand your reasoning, Laura."
"I understand it. I could have refused him nothing in my power to give him, but I did not wish to be his wife."
"And he never asked you?"
Lady Laura paused a moment, thinking what reply she should make;—and then she told a fib. "No; he never asked me." But Violet did not believe the fib. Violet was quite sure that Phineas had asked Lady Laura Standish to be his wife. "As far as I can see," said Violet, "Madame Max Goesler is his present passion."