“You shall not irritate me, Mr. Fairlie⁠—for your niece’s sake and for her father’s sake, you shall not irritate me. You shall take the whole responsibility of this discreditable settlement on your own shoulders before I leave the room.”

“Don’t!⁠—now please don’t!” said Mr. Fairlie. “Think how precious your time is, Gilmore, and don’t throw it away. I would dispute with you if I could, but I can’t⁠—I haven’t stamina enough. You want to upset me, to upset yourself, to upset Glyde, and to upset Laura; and⁠—oh, dear me!⁠—all for the sake of the very last thing in the world that is likely to happen. No, dear friend⁠—in the interests of peace and quietness, positively No!”

“I am to understand, then, that you hold by the determination expressed in your letter?”

“Yes, please. So glad we understand each other at last. Sit down again⁠—do!”