Had it been
otherwise, indeed, he would never have endured that vulture--business
for so long.
The deputation exchanged glances, puzzled by this pompous and peevish
exordium. It did not promise well; it sounded quite unlike Mr. Keith's
usually bland address. Perhaps he had not yet breakfasted. "We ought to
have waited," they thought. One of the listeners was so annoyed that he
began:
"A paradox, Mr. Keith, is not necessarily sensible, because it happens
to be simple"--but was overborne by that gentleman, who proceeded
calmly:
"So much for generalities. Now Miss Wilberforce is a lady of
independent means and of a certain age. She is not an infant, to be
protected against herself or against others; she has reached years of
indiscretion. Like a good many sensible persons she lives in this
country. Of course a residence here has its drawbacks--very grave
drawbacks, some of them. But the drawbacks are counter-balanced by
certain advantages. In short, what applies to one country does not
always apply to the other.
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