"I mean nothing disrespectful. I truly beg your pardon if it has seemed so. Let me say that gentleman's house;--for he is a gentleman."
"That he certainly is."
"You could not have accepted him were he not so. But how can I be your friend when you are his wife? I may still call you cousin Alice, and pat your children on the head if I chance to see them; and shall stop in the streets and shake hands with him if I meet him;--that is if my untoward fate does not induce him to cut my acquaintance;--but as for friendship, that will be over when you and I shall have parted next Thursday evening at London Bridge."
"Oh, George, don't say so!"
"But I do."

"I mean nothing disrespectful. Let me say that gentleman's house; for he is a gentleman."
"That he certainly is."
"But how can I be your friend when you are his wife? I may still call you cousin Alice, and pat your children on the head if I chance to see them; but as for friendship, that will be over when we part next Thursday at London Bridge."
"Oh, George, don't say so!"
"But I do."
