It was difficult to believe that she had been quite blind to the situation, and yet all reason and common sense went to prove that she was not acting.
'You take me quite unawares by such a question!' she said, with a forced laugh of uneasiness.

It was the first time she had shown any embarrassment at all.

'Why,' she added, 'I couldn't marry you for the world.' 'Not after all this! Why not ?' 'It is--I would--I really think I may say it--I would upon the whole rather marry you, Mr.Barnet, than any other man I have ever met, if I ever dreamed of marriage again.

But I don't dream of it--it is quite out of my thoughts; I have not the least intention of marrying again.' 'But--on my account--couldn't you alter your plans a little?
Come!' 'Dear Mr.Barnet,' she said with a little flutter, 'I would on your account if on anybody's in existence.

But you don't know in the least what it is you are asking--such an impracticable thing--I won't say ridiculous, of course, because I see that you are really in earnest, and earnestness is never ridiculous to my mind.' 'Well, yes,' said Barnet more slowly, dropping her hand, which he had taken at the moment of pleading, 'I am in earnest.