"You don't understand it?"
"Well, I don't know about understanding it. All I mean to say is, I'm not going to have it."
But for something in his tone, Margaret might not have entirely comprehended what he sought to convey in his words, so enraptured was she at seeing him again. But in his voice, in his look, there was a bravado that was unmistakable. She clasped her hands together in front of her; and her voice was very low and tremulous, as she said,
"Lionel, what do you mean?"
"What do I mean? Well, it's a devilish awkward thing to say--I can't conceive how it came about--all through your coming here, and that sort of thing; but it appears to me that, as I said before, you're on the wrong tack. You don't seem to see the position."
"I don't indeed. For God's sake speak out!"
"There, you see!--that's just it; like all women, taking the thing so much in earnest, and--"
"So much in earnest? Is what would influence one's whole life a thing to be lightly discussed or laughed over? Is--"
"There you are again! That's exactly what I complain of. What have I to do with influencing your life?"
"All--every thing!"