I confessed that I was still as angry.' 'And I confess,' said Mr.Crisparkle, 'that I hoped for better things.' 'I am sorry to disappoint you, sir, but it would be far worse to deceive you, and I should deceive you grossly if I pretended that you had softened me in this respect.

The time may come when your powerful influence will do even that with the difficult pupil whose antecedents you know; but it has not come yet.

Is this so, and in spite of my struggles against myself, Helena ?' She, whose dark eyes were watching the effect of what he said on Mr.
Crisparkle's face, replied--to Mr.Crisparkle, not to him: 'It is so.' After a short pause, she answered the slightest look of inquiry conceivable, in her brother's eyes, with as slight an affirmative bend of her own head; and he went on: 'I have never yet had the courage to say to you, sir, what in full openness I ought to have said when you first talked with me on this subject.

It is not easy to say, and I have been withheld by a fear of its seeming ridiculous, which is very strong upon me down to this last moment, and might, but for my sister, prevent my being quite open with you even now .-- I admire Miss Bud, sir, so very much, that I cannot bear her being treated with conceit or indifference; and even if I did not feel that I had an injury against young Drood on my own account, I should feel that I had an injury against him on hers.' Mr.Crisparkle, in utter amazement, looked at Helena for corroboration, and met in her expressive face full corroboration, and a plea for advice.
'The young lady of whom you speak is, as you know, Mr.Neville, shortly to be married,' said Mr.Crisparkle, gravely; 'therefore your admiration, if it be of that special nature which you seem to indicate, is outrageously misplaced.

Moreover, it is monstrous that you should take upon yourself to be the young lady's champion against her chosen husband.
Besides, you have seen them only once.