[ Rufus raises an arm to block the book quickly enough, though it still smarts. It earns a deep frown, as he picks up the splayed book from his lap to set it down on another nearby pile. ]

Art thou listening to thyself? Honestly.

[ The last word is quite nearly hissed beneath his breath. ]

Perhaps one could consider this a great irony; that Lacie would accept her fate in passing to ensure thy safety on the earth she loveth so, and that your Oswald Baskerville sendeth her diligently into death to honor his duty and her own.

But believeth thee yet that thou hast done her a service?

[ A quirk of the brow. ]