"You are quite in time," said the lady, "for any good that you are likely to do."
"What does that mean?"
"It means this, my friend, that you had better give the idea up. I have been thinking of it all day, and I do not approve of it."
"What nonsense!"
"Of course you will say so, Conway. I have observed of late that whatever I say to you is called nonsense. I suppose it is the new fashion that gentlemen should so express themselves, but I am not quite sure that I like it."
"You know what I mean. I am very anxious about this picture, and I shall be much disappointed if it cannot be done now. It was you put it into my head first."
"I regret it very much, I can assure you; but it will not be generous in you to urge that against me."
"But why shouldn't it succeed?"
"There are many reasons,—some personal to myself."
"I do not know what they can be. You hinted at something which I only took as having been said in joke."