"What is that?"
"That you had no wish to hold the position of a lover toward another woman, who is neither wife nor widow."
"I can't pretend not to understand you, Meyrick. It is painful that our wishes should clash. I hope you will tell me if you have any ground for supposing that you would succeed."
"That seems rather a superfluous inquiry on your part, Deronda," said Hans, with some irritation.
"Why superfluous?"
"Because you are perfectly convinced on the subject--and probably have had the very best evidence to convince you."

"What is that?"
"That you had no wish to hold the position of a lover toward another woman, who is neither wife nor widow."
"I can't pretend not to understand you, Meyrick. It is painful that our wishes should clash. I hope you will tell me if you have any ground for supposing that you would succeed."
"That seems rather a superfluous inquiry on your part, Deronda," said Hans, with some irritation. "You are perfectly convinced on the subject - and you probably have had the very best evidence to convince you."
