I do n't know of a man I 'd sooner have for a brother-in-law if a brother-in-law was convenient . I have n't a thing against him , Saint -- not a thing except that he wo n't see and ca n't be made to see that the Kaiser is a menace to the peace of Europe . That 's HIS blind spot . But he 's good company and I like him . A woman can say anything she likes to a man with a mouth like John Meredith 's and be sure of not being misunderstood . Such a man is more precious than rubies , Saint -- and much rarer , George . But he ca n't have Rosemary -- and I suppose when he finds out he ca n't have her he 'll drop us both . And we 'll miss him , Saint -- we 'll miss him something scandalous , George . But she promised , and I 'll see that she keeps her promise ! '' Ellen 's face looked almost ugly in its lowering resolution . Upstairs Rosemary was crying into her pillow . So Mr. Meredith found his lady alone and looking very beautiful . Rosemary had not made any special toilet for the occasion ; she wanted to , but she thought it would be absurd to dress up for a man you meant to refuse . So she wore her plain dark afternoon dress and looked like a queen in it . Her suppressed excitement coloured her face to brilliancy , her great blue eyes were pools of light less placid than usual . She wished the interview were over . She had looked forward to it all day with dread . She felt quite sure that John Meredith cared a great deal for her after a fashion -- and she felt just as sure that he did not care for her as he had cared for his first love . She felt that her refusal would disappoint him considerably , but she did not think it would altogether overwhelm him . Yet she hated to make it ; hated for his sake and -- Rosemary was quite honest with herself -- for her own .
She knew she could have loved John XXXXX if -- if it had been permissible .
Ellen Europe George Meredith Rosemary Saint afternoon brilliancy day first