He had been very intimate in her house, having made himself almost as a brother to her girls.

But she had never thought of him as a husband for either of them.
"Then Bell has not spoken to you about it," said the squire.
"Never a word." "And you had never thought about it ?" "Certainly not." "I have thought about it a great deal.

For some years I have always been thinking of it.

I have set my heart upon it, and shall be very unhappy if it cannot be brought about.

They are both very dear to me,--dearer than anybody else.