I have never enquired into Marmaduke's private life, and I think you ought not to have done so.

I could not disguise from myself the possibility of his having entered into some such relations as those you have alluded to." Jasper, without the slightest appearance of having heard this speech, strolled casually out of the room.

The Countess, baffled, turned to her sympathetic guest.
"I am sure that you, George, must feel that it is absolutely necessary for us to keep this matter to ourselves." The Rev.George said, gravely, "I do not indeed see what blessing can rest on our interference in such an inexpressibly shocking business.

It is for Marmaduke to wrestle with his own conscience." "Quite so," said the Countess, shrugging her shoulders as if to invite her absent son's attention to this confirmation of her judgment.

"Is it not absurd of Jasper to snatch at such an excuse for breaking off the match ?" "I can sympathize with Jasper's feeling, I trust.