Why,good God!exclaimed Stephen passionately,you talk as if you hadnt at all taken her away from anybody who had better claims to her than you!
What do you mean by that?said Knight,with a puzzled air.
What have you heard?
Nothing.I too must go on.Good-day.
If you will go,said Knight,reluctantly now,you must,I suppose.I am sure I cannot understand why you behave so.
Nor I why you do.I have always been grateful to you,and as far as I am concerned we need never have become so estranged as we have.
And have I ever been anything but well-disposed towards you,Stephen?Surely you know that I have not!The system of reserve began with you:you know that.
No,no!You altogether mistake our position.You were always from the first reserved to me,though I was confidential to you.
That was,I suppose,the natural issue of our differing positions in life.And when I,the pupil,became reserved like you,the master,you did not like it.However,I was going to ask you to come round and see me.
Where are you staying?
At the Grosvenor Hotel,Pimlico.
So am I.
Thats convenient,not to say odd.Well,I am detained in London for a day or two;then I am going down to see my father and mother,who live at St.Launces now.Will you see me this evening?
I may;but I will not promise.I was wishing to be alone for an hour or two;but I shall know where to find you,at any rate.
Good-bye.