Of course it is one in these _French_ days, when everyone speaks it.

What was I saying?
Oh, about Percival.

Should he ever have the luck to marry, meaning the income, he will make a docile husband; but his wife will have to keep him under her finger and thumb; she must be master as well as mistress, for his own sake." "I think Mr.Elster would not care to be so spoken of," said Miss Ashton, her face beginning to glow.
"You devoted girl! It is you who don't care to hear it.

Take care, Anne; too much love is not good for gaining the mastership; and I have heard that you are--shall I say it ?--_eperdue_." Anne, in spite of her calm good sense, was actually provoked to a retort in kind, and felt terribly vexed with herself for it afterwards.

"A rumour of the same sort has been breathed as to the Lady Maude Kirton's regard for Lord Hartledon." "Has it ?" returned Lady Maude, with a cool tone and a glowing face.