"Yes, you were. You were soft and gracious,—gracious for you, at least. And now, dear, do tell me about it. Of course I am dying to know."
"There is nothing to tell."
"That is nonsense. There must be a thousand things to tell. At any rate it is quite decided?"
"Yes; it is quite decided."
"All the dragons, old and young, are banished into outer darkness."
"Either that, or else they are to have all the light to themselves."
"Such light as glimmers through the gloom of Aylmer Park. And was he contented? I hope not. I hope you had him on his knees before he left you."
"Why should you hope that? How can you talk such nonsense?"
"Because I wish that he should recognise what he has lost;—that he should know that he has been a fool;—a mean fool."
"Mrs. Askerton, I will not have him spoken of like that. He is a man very estimable,—of estimable qualities."