"Upon my word, Odo, I can't think——!"
It called for a nice judgment to know which opening to play.
"Fitz is in trouble," said I.
"Is that very surprising?"
It is difficult to render the true Vane-Anstruther vocal inflections in terms of literary art. A similar problem is presented by the unwavering glint of the china-blue eye and the subtle curl of the lip.
"In the sense you wish to convey, mon enfant, it is surprising. Fitz is one of the poor devils who are by no means so black as they are painted."
A toss of the head.
"Don't forget that I have known Fitz all his life; that we were at school together; and that one way and another I have seen a good deal of him."
"I wouldn't boast about it, if I were you. The man is a byword; you know that. It is not kind to me."
I was in mortal fear of tears. That dread accessory of conjugal life is permitted by the Code De Vere Vane-Anstruther in certain situations. However, although the weather was very heavy, for the time being that was spared me, and I breathed more freely.