"Very much,—years ago, when you were a boy."
"But not since? If it be so, I had better go. Love on one side only is a poor affair at best."
"A very poor affair."
"It is better to bear anything than to try and make out life with that. Some of you women never want to love any one."
"That was what I was saying of myself to Laura but the other day. With some women it is so easy. With others it is so difficult, that perhaps it never comes to them."
"And with you?"
"Oh, with me—. But it is better in these matters to confine oneself to generalities. If you please, I will not describe myself personally. Were I to do so, doubtless I should do it falsely."
"You love no one else, Violet?"
"That is my affair, my lord."
"By heavens, and it is mine too. Tell me that you do, and I will go away and leave you at once. I will not ask his name, and I will trouble you no more. If it is not so, and if it is possible that you should forgive me—"