The most guileless glance, in meeting her eye, is transmuted, like a straight stick looking crooked when you put it into water, you know.

Frances has a charmingly deviating quality that I defy the straightest of intentions to evade.' 'Are yours so straight ?' 'Well--she is pretty and pleasant, and perfectly superficial, as you know.

I own that I do rather like to put the stick in the water and see what happens to it.' 'Well, don't put it in too often before Althea.

After all, you are all of you here because of her friendship with me, and it makes me feel guilty if I see her having a bad time because of your misbehaviour.' 'A bad time ?' 'Really.

She takes things hard.