In matters of personal behaviour the world will probably be
much more free and individuals much more open in their conscience
and honour than they have ever been before. In matters of property,
economics and public conduct it will probably be just the reverse. Then,
there will be much more collective control and much more insistence,
legal insistence, upon individual responsibility. But we are not living
in a new age yet; we are living in the patched-up ruins of a very old
one. And you--if you will forgive me--are living in the patched up
remains of a life that had already had its complications. This young
lady, whose charm and cleverness I admit, behaves as if the new age were
already here. Well, that may be a very dangerous mistake both for her
and for you.... This affair, if it goes on for a few days more, may
involve very serious consequences indeed, with which I, for one, do not
wish to be involved."
Sir Richmond, upon the hearthrug, had a curious feeling that he was back
in the head master's study at Caxton.
Dr. Martineau went on with a lucidity that Sir Richmond found rather
trying, to give his impression of Miss Grammont and her position in
life.
"She is," he said, "manifestly a very expensively educated girl. And
in many ways interesting.
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