“No! Not too partial, Alfred,” urged the lady, tenderly moved; “never say that.”

“My child, your favourable opinion, then, of your husband⁠—you don’t object to that phrase, darling?”

“How can I, Alfred?”

“Your favourable opinion then, my Precious, does less than justice to Mr. Boffin, and more than justice to me.”

“To the first charge, Alfred, I plead guilty. But to the second, oh no, no!”