‘But you like her, don’t you?’ asked Howarth. ‘You like Mrs Connor?’ For himself, thought Howarth, he did not particularly like Mrs Connor. He desired Mrs Connor, however.

Howarth asks whether someone else likes Mrs Connor, then privately considers his own feelings. He does not particularly like her, but he desires her. The contrast separates affection from attraction, with 'however' delivering the distinction in a dry, pointed final turn.

Context reviewed 19 September 2026