Anthony Hope

“ She is, of course, tall and slender; she has, of course, a rippling laugh; her eyes are, of course, deep and dreamy, yet lighting to a sparkle when one challenges. All this may be presupposed. It's her tint, Cromlech, her color—that's what's in my mind to-night; that, you will find, is her most distinguishing, her most wonderful characteristic."
"That's just what the Vicar told Coltson! At least he said that the Marchesa had a most extraordinary complexion." Wilbraham had got something out at last.
"Roger, you bring me back to earth. ”

“ Plainly not. Isn't it the natural right of the owner of Scarsmoor to have that path open through Nab Grange? Plainly yes. That, Roger, although, as I say, not the shape in which I have put the matter before the Marchesa—because she, being a woman, would be unappreciative of pure reason—is really the way in which the question presents itself to my mind—and, I'm sure, to Cromlech's?"
"Not the least in the world to mine," said Stabb. "However, Ambrose, the young man thinks us both mad."
"Could that be Lord Lynborough?" ”

“ That—or nothing!"
"I dare say," muttered Stabb very absently.
"Then what does Coltson mean——?"
"Coltson knows Ambrose—you don't. Ambrose will never go to law—but he'll go to bathe."
"But she'll go to law if he goes to bathe!" cried the lawyer.
Stabb blinked lazily, and seemed to loom enormous over his cigar. "I dare say—if she's got a good case," said he. "Do you know, Wilbraham, I don't much care whether she does or not? ”

“ Wilbraham had been called to the Bar, although he had never practised. No situation gives rise to greater confidence on legal problems.
"I don't think you'll find that his lordship will trouble much about that, sir," was Coltson's answer, as he picked up the cigar-case again and hurried into the library with it.
"What does the man mean by that?" asked Wilbraham scornfully. "It's a purely legal question—Lynborough must trouble about it." He rose and addressed Stabb somewhat as though that gentleman were the Court. "Not a public right of way? We don't argue that? ”

“ His manner was noticeably more alert: his brow was unclouded, his whole mien tranquil and placid.
"I've put it all right," he observed. "I've written her a civil letter. Will you men bathe to-morrow?" ”