`` Might as well have it over with , St. George , '' Ellen sternly told the black cat , after Mr. Meredith had gone home and Rosemary had silently gone upstairs . `` He means to ask her , St. George -- I 'm perfectly sure of that . So he might as well have his chance to do it and find out he ca n't get her , George . She 'd rather like to take him , Saint . I know that -- but she promised , and she 's got to keep her promise . I 'm rather sorry in some ways , St. George . 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 XXXXX light less placid than usual .
So against for in into of out that to with