'Stanley, you may regret postponing it, much more.'
'You have no idea, Rachel, how very tiresome you've grown.'
'Yes, Stanley, I can quite understand it. It would have been better for you, perhaps for myself, I had died long ago.'
'Well, that is another thing; but in the meantime, I assure you, Rachel, you are disposed to be very impertinent.'
'Very impertinent; yes, indeed, Stanley, and so I shall continue to be until——'
'Pray how does it concern you? I say it is no business on earth of yours.'
Stanley Lake was growing angry.
'Yes, Stanley, it does concern me.'
'That is false.'
'True, true, Sir. Oh, Stanley, it is a load upon my conscience—a mountain—a mountain between me and my hopes. I can't endure the misery to which you would consign me; you shall do it—immediately, too' (she stamped wildly as she said it), 'and if you hesitate, Stanley, I shall be compelled to speak, though the thought of it makes me almost mad with terror.'