"I should not do so were it not that your uncle is ill and suffering." "You have asked me a question and I have answered it.

I do not know what more you want of me." "Will you say that there is no truth in all this that Lady Mary says ?" "Lady Mary is an impertinent old maid." "If you were in your uncle's place, and if you had an heir as to whose character in the world you were anxious, you would not think anyone impertinent who endeavoured for the sake of friendship to save your name and family from a disreputable connexion." "I have made no disreputable connexion.

I will not allow the word disreputable to be used in regard to any of my friends." "You do know people of the name of O'Hara ?" "Of course I do." "And there is a--young lady ?" "I may know a dozen young ladies as to whom I shall not choose to consult Lady Mary Quin." "You understand what I mean, Fred.

Of course I do not wish to ask you anything about your general acquaintances.

No doubt you meet many girls whom you admire, and I should be very foolish were I to make inquiries of you or of anybody else concerning them.