"
"I have sought to make him this return, but he only fancies me a
calumniator. Miss Yolland has been beforehand with me."
"Then, by Jove! I don't see but you're quits with him. If he
behaves like that to you, don't you see, it wipes it all out?
Upon my soul! I don't see why you should trouble your head about
him. Let him take his way, and go to--Sepia."
"But, sir, what a dreadful thing it would be, knowing what she
is, to let a man like him throw himself away on her!"
"I don't see it. I've no doubt he's just as bad as she is. We all
are; we're all the same. And, if he weren't, it would be the
better joke. Besides, you oughtn't to keep up a grudge, don't you
know; you ought to let the--the _woman_ have a chance. If he
marries her--and that must be her game this time--she'll grow
decent, and be respectable ever after, you may be sure--go to
church, as you would have her, and all that--never miss a Sunday,
I'll lay you a thousand."
"He's of a good old family!" said Mary, foolishly, thinking that
would weigh with him.
"Good old fiddlestick! Damned old worn-out broom-end!
_She's_ of a good old family--quite good enough for his, you
may take your oath! Why, my girl! the thing's not worth burning
your fingers with. You've brought me here on a goose-errand. I'll
go and have my lunch."
He rose.
"I'm sorry to have vexed you, sir," said Mary, greatly
disappointed.
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