But I thought that yesterday you would never have dreamed of the thing." "No more I should; but Wratislaw talked to me seriously and I was persuaded." Wratislaw tried to look guileless, failed signally, and detected a sudden unfavourable glance from Mr.Stocks in his direction.
"We must manage everything as pleasantly as possible.

You have my aunt and my uncle and Arthur on your side, while I have George, who doesn't count in this show, and I hope Wratislaw.

I'll give you a three days' start if you like in lieu of notice." And the young man laughed as if the matter were the simplest of jokes.
The laugh jarred very seriously on one listener.

To Alice the morning had been full of vexations, for Mr.Stocks had again sought her company, and wearied her with a new manner of would-be gallantry which sat ill upon him.

She had come to Etterick with a tenderness towards Lewis which was somewhat dispelled by his newly-disclosed political aims.