"Mr Stacey! Why?"
"If you will allow me to make the remarks to which I just now alluded, possibly, by the time I have finished, you will apprehend some of my reasons. But before I commence you must promise that you will not be offended at whatever I may say. If you think that, for any cause whatever, you may be disposed to resent complete candour from an old fellow who has seen something of the world and who has your best interests very much at heart, please say so and I will not say a word."
"I shall not be offended."
"Miss Arnott, you are a very rich young lady."
"Well?"
"You are also a very young lady."
"Well again?"
"From such a young lady the world would--not unnaturally--expect a certain course of action."
"How do you mean?"
"Why don't you take up that position in the world to which you are on all accounts entitled?"