In the context of 'And really it's a great relief to think he's going, Hastings, continued my honest friend. ', does '"Are you sure we can't do anything to keep him here?," admitted my long-time nemesis.' serve as a direct counterargument?
And really it's a great relief to think he's going, Hastings, continued my honest friend. ###"Are you sure we can't do anything to keep him here?," admitted my long-time nemesis.