He has knocked me off the track once.

He means to do it again.
It is a declaration of war.

What ought I to do ?" "Whatever is most for the public good." said Madeleine, gravely.
Ratcliffe looked into her face with such undisguised delight--there was so little possibility of mistaking or ignoring the expression of his eyes, that she shrank back with a certain shock.

She was not prepared for so open a demonstration.

He hardened his features at once, and went on: "But what is most for the public good ?" "That you know better than I," said Madeleine; "only one thing is clear to me.