She was up again at that.

“In love? You? Nonsense! Nonsense! Nonsense! You do not know what the word means. You are like a⁠—like a fish, with no more of love in you than a fish, and no more heart than a fish, and⁠—”

“Spare me the rest, I beg. I am very clammy, I make no doubt, but you will at least accord me more brain than a fish?”

“Oh, you have brain enough!” she raged. “Brain for evil! I grant you that!”

“It is really very kind of you⁠—”

“The passion you feel now is not love . It is⁠—it is⁠—”

“Your pardon, my dear, but at the present moment I am singularly devoid of all strenuous emotions, so your remark is⁠—”