"I mean about this engagement," said Lady Baldock, with an increase of awe-inspiring severity in her voice.
"Say nothing about it at all, if you don't like it," said Violet.
"How can I say nothing about it? How can I be silent? Or how am I to congratulate you?"
"The least said, perhaps, the soonest mended," and Violet smiled as she spoke.
"That is very well, and if I had no duty to perform, I would be silent. But, Violet, you have been left in my charge. If I see you shipwrecked in life, I shall ever tell myself that the fault has been partly mine."
"Nay, aunt, that will be quite unnecessary. I will always admit that you did everything in your power to—to—to—make me run straight, as the sporting men say."
"Sporting men! Oh, Violet."
"And you know, aunt, I still hope that I shall be found to have kept on the right side of the posts. You will find that poor Lord Chiltern is not so black as he is painted."
"But why take anybody that is black at all?"
"I like a little shade in the picture, aunt."