"And Nevile knows it. He believes it. He would say it anywhere. He's
difficult, is Nevile; a wayward beggar. He's been his own master since he
was sixteen; asked, and had. It's hard to make him understand that he
can't go on. But he can't, the old sweep, when you put in your say. You
know his way--he puts his desires in the shape of truisms. He states them
--that's all he has to do--they become immutable laws. Very imposing, his
desires, put like that. They've imposed upon me; they've imposed upon
_you_ in their day. Well, with a man like that, you know, you can't take
him up too short. Go slow, go slow. What was it I heard Clyde saying to
you just now? Who's queen of herself is queen of the world--what? Now,
that's quite true. One for Clyde. Apply that to old Nevile. Queen of
herself! Why, what else are you? And what's Nevile but the blundering
world in a man's skin? Well, queen it, queen it--and there's your kingdom
under your feet. Marry the old chap, Sancie. You put everything right; you
take your proper place. The county! But what are counties to you? You
smile--and you may well smile. Let the county go hang; but there's Vicky.
She's more than county to you. There's Melusine, there's Philippa, there's
Hawise; there's your good old dad, there's your lady mother.
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