"What! are you a little touched with the sublime lash?" said Sir Hugo, putting up his glasses to help his short sight in looking at his companion. "Are you inclined to run after her?"
"On the contrary," said Deronda, "I should rather be inclined to run away from her."
"Why, you would easily cut out Grandcourt. A girl with her spirit would think you the finer match of the two," said Sir Hugo, who often tried Deronda's patience by finding a joke in impossible advice. (A difference of taste in jokes is a great strain on the affections.)
"I suppose pedigree and land belong to a fine match," said Deronda, coldly.

"What! are you inclined to run after her?" said Sir Hugo.
"On the contrary," said Deronda, "I should rather be inclined to run away from her."
"Why, you would easily cut out Grandcourt. A girl with her spirit would think you the finer match of the two. 