“Worse than that. She has been and refused the Earl of Tadcaster.”
“Refused him—what! has that little monkey had the audacity?”
“The condescension, you mean. Yes.”
“And she has refused him?”
“And twenty thousand a year.”
“What immorality!”
“Worse. What absurdity!”
“How is it to be accounted for? Is it the old story? 'I could never love him.' No; that's inadequate; for they all love a title and twenty thousand a year.”
Rosa sewed on all this time in demure and absolute silence.
“She ignores us,” said Philip. “It is intolerable. She does not appreciate our politeness in talking at her. Let us arraign her before our sacred tribunal, and have her into court. Now, mistress, the Senate of Venice is assembled, and you must be pleased to tell us why you refused a title and twenty thousand a year, with a small but symmetrical earl tacked on.”