"In what manner did this Mr.Holbrook impress you?
You were interested in the young lady, and would therefore naturally be interested in her lover.

Did he strike you as worthy of her ?" "_I_ cannot say that he did, sir," Miss Long answered doubtfully.

"I could see that he had great power over her, though his manner to her was always very gentle; but I cannot say that I took to him myself.

I daresay he is a very clever man; but he had a cold proud way that kept one at a distance from him, and I seemed to know no more of him at the last than I had known on the first day I saw him.

I believe he loved Miss Nowell, and that's about all the good I do believe of him." After this, there was no more to be asked of Miss Long; so Gilbert thanked her for her civility, and bade good evening at once to her and to Miss Stoneham.