into a passion; but, you know,
once drive me beyond certain bounds, I care little what I say: I am not then
soon checked. Listen! You have asked me whether Sir Philip made me an offer:
that question is answered. What do you wish to know next?«
    »I desire to know whether you accepted or refused him? and know it I will.«
    »Certainly: you ought to know it. I refused him.«
    »Refused him! You - you, Shirley Keeldar, refused Sir Philip Nunnely?«
    »I did.«
    The poor gentleman bounced from his chair, and first rushed, and then
trotted, through the room.
    »There it is! There it is! There it is!«
    »Sincerely speaking, I am sorry, uncle, you are so disappointed.«
    Concession - contrition - never do any good with some people. Instead of
softening and conciliating, they but embolden and harden them: of that number
was Mr. Sympson.
    »I disappointed! What is it to me? Have I an interest in it? You would
insinuate, perhaps, that I have motives?«
    »Most people have motives, of some sort, for their actions.«
    »She accuses me to my face! I - that have been a parent to her - she charges
with bad motives!«
    »Bad motives, I did not say.«
    »And now you prevaricate. You have no principles!«
    »Uncle, you tire me: I want to go away.«
    »Go you shall not! I will be answered. What are your intentions, Miss
Keeldar?«
    »In what respect?«
    »In respect of matrimony.«
    »To be quiet - and to do just as I please.«
    »Just as you please! The words are to the last degree indecorous.«
    »Mr. Sympson, I advise you not to become insulting: you know I will not bear
that.«
    »You read French. Your mind is poisoned with French novels. You have imbibed
French principles.«
    »The ground you are treading now returns a mighty hollow sound under your
feet. Beware!«
    »It will end in infamy, sooner or later: I have foreseen it all along.«
    »Do you assert, sir, that something in which I am concerned will end in
infamy?«
    »That it will - that it will. You said just now you would act as you please.
You acknowledge no rules - no limitations.«
    »Silly stuff! and vulgar as