"Even to save his life, you mean. You don't care if he dies of some hideous tropical disease."
"I care awfully. But I can't marry him. He knows why."
"It's more than I do. If you're thinking of Jerrold, you needn't. I thought you'd done with that schoolgirlish nonsense."
"I'm not 'thinking' of him. I'm not 'thinking' of anybody and I wish you'd leave me alone."
"My dear child, how can I leave you alone when I see you making the mistake of your life? Eliot is absolutely the right person for you, if you'd only the sense to see it. He's got more character than anybody I know. Much more than dear Jerry. He'll be ten times more interesting to live with."
"I thought Jerrold was your favourite."
"No, Eliot, my dear. Always Eliot. He was my first baby."
"Well, I'm awfully sorry you mind so much. And I'd marry Eliot if I could. I simply hate him to be unhappy. But he won't be. He'll live to be frightfully glad I didn't…What, aren't you going to kiss me good-night?"
Adeline had risen and turned away with the great dignity of her righteous anger.
"I don't feel like it," she said. "I think you've been thoroughly selfish and unkind. I hate girls who go on like that—making a man mad about you by pretending to be his comrade, and then throwing him over. I've had more men in love with me, Anne, than you've seen in your life, but I never did that."