At this, I could scarce keep from smiling; so unpalatable an interview must be before the pair of them, and I could hear their voices, clashing like crossed swords, in that eternal antiphony of 'I told you,' and 'I told you not.' Without doubt, they had gained very little by their visit; but then I had gained less than nothing, and had been bitterly dispirited into the bargain.

Ronald had stuck to his guns and refused me to the last.

It was no news; but, on the other hand, it could not be contorted into good news.

I was now certain that during my temporary absence in France, all irons would be put into the fire, and the world turned upside down, to make Flora disown the obtrusive Frenchman and accept Chevenix.

Without doubt she would resist these instances: but the thought of them did not please me, and I felt she should be warned and prepared for the battle.
It was no use to try and see her now, but I promised myself early that evening to return to Swanston.