"Calling him A 1, Violet."
"People have been talking about me and Mr. Finn, because I just now,
at this very moment, called him A 1 to you! If you want to scold me
about anything, aunt, do find out something less ridiculous than
that."
"It was most improper language,--and if you used it to me, I am sure
you would to others."
"To what others?"
"To Mr. Finn,--and those sort of people."
"Call Mr. Finn A 1 to his face! Well,--upon my honour I don't know
why I should not. Lord Chiltern says he rides beautifully, and if we
were talking about riding I might do so."
"You have no business to talk to Lord Chiltern about Mr. Finn at
all."
"Have I not? I thought that perhaps the one sin might palliate
the other. You know, aunt, no young lady, let her be ever so
ill-disposed, can marry two objectionable young men,--at the same
time."
"I said nothing about your marrying Mr. Finn."
"Then, aunt, what did you mean?"
"I meant that you should not allow yourself to be talked of with an
adventurer, a young man without a shilling, a person who has come
from nobody knows where in the bogs of Ireland."
"But you used to ask him here."
"Yes,--as long as he knew his place. But I shall not do so again. And
I must beg you to be circumspect.
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