Carne, who was watching them steadfastly for his own purpose, forgot that purpose, and dropped his dark eyes, and lost the way to tell a lie.
"If I may ask you," he said, almost stammering, and longing without knowledge for the blessing of her touch, "to--to allow me just to lead you to this seat, I may perhaps be able--I will not take the liberty of sitting at your side--but I may perhaps be able to explain as much of my affairs as you can wish to hear of them, and a great deal more, I fear, a great deal more, Miss Darling." Dolly blushed at the rich tone in which he pronounced her name, almost as if it were an adjective; but she allowed him to take her hand, and lead her to the bench beneath the rock.

Then, regardless of his breeches, although of fine padusoy, and his coat, though of purple velvet, he sate down on the bank of the rill at her feet, and waited for her to say something.

The young lady loved mainly to take the lead, but would liefer have followed suit just now.
"You have promised to tell me," she said, very softly, and with an unusual timidity, which added to her face and manner almost the only charm they lacked, "some things which I do not understand, and which I have no right to ask you of, except for your own offer.

Why should you, without injuring any one, but only having suffered loss of all your family property, and of all your rights and comforts, and living in that lonely place which used to be full of company--why should you be in danger now, when you have nothing more to be robbed of?
I beg your pardon--I mean when all your enemies must have done their worst." "You are too young yet to understand the world," he answered, with a well-drawn sigh; "and I hope most truly that you may never do so.

In your gentle presence I cannot speak with bitterness, even if I could feel it.