A sort of happy release, one may say, for every one but himself." "Can I have the pleasure of a few words with you, Mr.Hawker ?" "Surely, sir," said he, dismounting.

"Allow me to walk a little on the way back with you ?" "What I have to say, Mr.Hawker," said the Vicar, "is very short, and, I fear, also very disagreeable to all parties.

I am going to request you to discontinue your visits to my house altogether, and, in fact, drop our acquaintance." "This is very sudden, sir," said Hawker.

"Am I to understand, sir, that you cannot be induced by any conduct of mine to reconsider this decision ?" "You are to understand that such is the case, sir." "And this is final, Mr.Thornton ?" "Quite final, I assure you," said the Vicar; "nothing on earth should make me flinch from my decision." "This is very unfortunate, sir," said George.

"For I had reason to believe that you rather encouraged my visits than otherwise." "I never encouraged them.