I will join with you in raising the money for your sister, on one condition." "What is that ?" "Laura tells me,--indeed she has told me often,--that you are attached to Violet Effingham." "But Violet Effingham, my lord, is unhappily not attached to me." "I do not know how that may be.

Of course I cannot say.

I have never taken the liberty of interrogating her upon the subject." "Even you, my lord, could hardly have done that." "What do you mean by that?
I say that I never have," said the Earl, angrily.
"I simply mean that even you could hardly have asked Miss Effingham such a question.

I have asked her, and she has refused me." "But girls often do that, and yet accept afterwards the men whom they have refused.

Laura tells me that she believes that Violet would consent if you pressed your suit." "Laura knows nothing about it, my lord." "There you are probably wrong.