"Have you really hated me? How singular."
"Very!" sarcastically; then: "If you don't drop that disagreeable tone we shall quarrel. I wish to know what you want with Ellen Arthur."
"Shade of my grandmother! If you don't drop that disagreeable name, I shall expire. Haven't I had enough of her for one day? Alice, I know revenge is sweet, but spare me."
"Bother! I must talk about her, else how can we settle anything? Do you suppose I am going to allow that sweet girl to be deceived?" This with mock indignation.
"Oh, no; certainly not! Well, if I must, I must. First, then—"
"First, what position do you intend to take towards me?"
"That depends upon yourself."
"On conditions?"
"On conditions."