“It’s no good,” said Henry Churchill. “I have talked to her.”

“What did you say?”

“Told her I heartily disapproved of everything she was doing.”

“That was unwise.”

“I believe in saying what I think.”

“Yet people who always say what they think rarely have the privilege of doing what they like. You have made a regrettable mistake, and there is nothing left for you to do but leave her horizon until the memory of it has vanished.”

“But I want to marry her.”

“Precisely. Hence my suggestion.”

“Look here: will you promise not to re-engage her after this piece?”

“Why should I?”