Francis might not be able to give him anything that was of any use, but it would do no harm to see if his cousin's buoyant unconscious philosophy, which made life so exciting and pleasant a thing to him, would in any way help.

Besides, he must stop this light banter, which was like drawing plaster off a sore and unhealed wound.
"You're quite right," he said.

"I am in love with her.

Furthermore, I asked her to marry me this morning." This certainly had an effect.
"Good Lord!" said Francis.

"And do you mean to say she refused you ?" "She didn't accept me," said Michael.