He is in his prime.' 'Without question, mon pere.

For me, I was merely offering proof that he can preserve his prime unlimitedly.' 'He is not a subject for mockery, Roland.' 'Quite the contrary; for reverence!' 'Another than you, my boy, and he would march you out.' 'I am to imagine, then, that his hand continues firm ?' 'Imagine to the extent of your capacity; but remember that respect is always owing to your own family, and deliberate before you draw on yourself such a chastisement as mercy from an accepted member of it.' Roland bowed and drummed on his knee.
The conversation had been originated by Renee for the enlightenment of Nevil and as a future protection to herself.

Now that it had disclosed its burden she could look at him no more, and when her father addressed her significantly: 'Marquise, you did me the honour to consent to accompany me to the Church of the Frari this afternoon ?' she felt her self-accusation of coquettry biting under her bosom like a thing alive.
Roland explained the situation to Nevil.
'It is the mania with us, my dear Nevil, to marry our girls young to established men.

Your established man carries usually all the signs, visible to the multitude or not, of the stages leading to that eminence.
We cannot, I believe, unless we have the good fortune to boast the paternity of Hercules, disconnect ourselves from the steps we have mounted; not even, the priests inform us, if we are ascending to heaven; we carry them beyond the grave.

However, it seems that our excellent marquis contrives to keep them concealed, and he is ready to face marriage--the Grandest Inquisitor, next to Death.