He sat some time, thoughtfully snipping tape with her scissors; he expected criticism and he was preparing a rejoinder.

At last he told her of Roderick's decision and of his own influence in it.

Cecilia, besides an extreme surprise, exhibited a certain fine displeasure at his not having asked her advice.
"What would you have said, if I had ?" he demanded.
"I would have said in the first place, 'Oh for pity's sake don't carry off the person in all Northampton who amuses me most!' I would have said in the second place, 'Nonsense! the boy is doing very well.

Let well alone!'" "That in the first five minutes.

What would you have said later ?" "That for a man who is generally averse to meddling, you were suddenly rather officious." Rowland's countenance fell.