"Not a word except about money! But of course he is right. I know that he is right. After what has passed he would be very wrong to—to—think about it any more. You joke about his being Belton of Belton. But it does make a difference."
"It does;—does it?"
"It has made a difference. I see and feel it now. I shall never—hear him—ask me—that question—any more."
"And if you did hear him, what answer would you make him?"
"I don't know."
"That is just it. Women are so cross-grained that it is a wonder to me that men should ever have anything to do with them. They have about them some madness of a phantasy which they dignify with the name of feminine pride, and under the cloak of this they believe themselves to be justified in tormenting their lovers' lives out. The only consolation is that they torment themselves as much. Can anything be more cross-grained than you are at this moment? You were resolved just now that it would be the most unbecoming thing in the world if he spoke a word more about his love for the next twelve months—"
"Mrs. Askerton, I said nothing about twelve months."
"And now you are broken-hearted because he did not blurt it all out before Colonel Askerton in a business interview, which was very properly had at once, and in which he has had the exceeding good taste to confine himself altogether to the one subject."
"I am not complaining."
"It was good taste; though if he had not been a bear he might have asked after me, who am fighting his battles for him night and day."