From these appearances twenty years had taught me to fly to any burrow, but your dinner-table offers no retreat; you are hoist, so to speak, on your own carving-fork.

There are men, of course, and even women, who have scruples about taking advantage of so intimate and unguarded an opportunity, but Armour, I rapidly decided, was not one of these.

His sophistication was progressing, but it had not reached that point.

He wanted something--I flew instantly to the mad conclusion that he wanted Dora.

I did not pause to inquire why he should ask her of me.