"It is true that my share has been considerably increased. Mr. Bracknell has retired."
"I suppose you will take a house now?"
"I think not," said Oswald. "Single men don't care to set up a house of their own."
"What men don't?"
"Unmarried men."
"Oh," said Miss Bettina. "Do you never intend to marry?"
Oswald laughed. "I have no time to think about it, Miss Bettina."
Miss Bettina did not catch the answer. "Some time ago we had reason given us to think that you were about to marry. Did you change your mind?"
It was a home question. Oswald could have joked it off but for that gentle, conscious, Dent face in the opposite corner. "We have to give up all kinds of fond dreams and visions, you know, Miss Bettina. Youth is very apt to indulge in such: and they mostly turn out vain."
"Turned out vain, did she? I must say I did not think she was in a position worthy of you."