"Is it any harm to ask how you have succeeded ?" Rose looked up angrily into the laughing dark eyes.
"I don't know what you mean." "My dear little artless Rose! Shall I put it plainer?
When are you to be Lady Ellerton ?" "Mr.Stanford--" "My dear Rose, don't be cross.

He is too old and too ugly--low be it spoken--for the prettiest girl in Canada!" "Meaning me ?" "Meaning you." "Why don't you except Kate ?" "Because I think you are prettier than Kate ?" "You don't! I know better! I don't believe you!" "Disbelieve me, then." "You think there is no one in the world like Kate." "Do I?
Who told you ?" "I don't need to be told; actions speak louder than words." "And what have my actions said ?" "That you adore the ground she walks on, and hold her a little lower than the angels." "So I do.

That is, I don't precisely adore the ground she walks on--I am not quite so far gone as that yet--but I hold her a little lower than the angels, certainly." "That's enough then.

Why don't you stay with her, and not come here annoying me ?" "Oh, I annoy you, do I?
You don't mean it, Rose ?" "Yes, I do," said Rose, compressing her lips.

"What do you come for ?" "Because--you won't be offended, will you ?" "No." "Because I am very fond of you, then." "Fond of me!" said Rose, her heart thrilling--"and you engaged to Kate! How dare you tell me so, Mr.Stanford ?" Rose's words were all they should have been, but Rose's tone was anything but severe.