The reason was plain enough.

He came to talk about you." "Oh!" exclaimed the listener with amused deprecation.
"There's no doubt of it; no--shadow--of--doubt.

In fact, we've had very pleasant little chats about you.

Of course I said all the disagreeable things I could; I knew that was what you would wish." "Certainly," fell from Rosamund.
"I didn't positively calumniate you, but just the unpleasant little hints that a friend is so well able to throw out; the sort of thing likely to chill any one.

I hope you quite approve ?" "Quite." "Well, the odd thing was that they didn't quite have the effect I aimed at.