The fellow must be an ass! When I was young--" He stopped short at that, and turning away, looked out across the garden as if some recollection had suddenly struck him.
"When you were young--which is, of course, such an awfully long time since!" said the girl, a little teasingly.

"What ?" "Only that if a woman said No--unmistakably--once, a man took it as final," replied Ransford.

"At least--so I was always given to believe.
Nowadays--" "You forget that Mr.Pemberton Bryce is what most people would call a very pushing young man," said Mary.

"If he doesn't get what he wants in this world, it won't be for not asking for it.

But--if you must speak to him--and I really think you must!--will you tell him that he is not going to get--me?
Perhaps he'll take it finally from you--as my guardian." "I don't know if parents and guardians count for much in these degenerate days," said Ransford.