"Positively, Geoffrey, I believe that notwithstanding the fact that we
are only in February, the wind blows upon you due south, bringing with
it odours of rose and orange-blossom! I fancy Lady Sibyl has powerfully
impressed you?"
"Did you wish me to be impressed?" I asked.
"I? My dear fellow, I wish nothing that you yourself do not wish. I
accommodate my ways to my friends' humours. If asked for my opinion I
should say it is rather a pity if you are really smitten with the young
lady, as there are no obstacles to be encountered. A love-affair, to be
conducted with spirit and enterprise should always bristle with
opposition and difficulty, real or invented. A little secrecy and a good
deal of wrong-doing, such as sly assignations and the telling of any
amount of lies--such things add to the agreeableness of love-making on
this planet--"