We are sure to come at the heart of the matter by your means, little woman." I really was frightened at the thought of the importance I was attaining and the number of things that were being confided to me.

I had not meant this at all; I had meant that he should speak to Richard.

But of course I said nothing in reply except that I would do my best, though I feared (I really felt it necessary to repeat this) that he thought me much more sagacious than I was.

At which my guardian only laughed the pleasantest laugh I ever heard.
"Come!" he said, rising and pushing back his chair.

"I think we may have done with the growlery for one day! Only a concluding word.
Esther, my dear, do you wish to ask me anything ?" He looked so attentively at me that I looked attentively at him and felt sure I understood him.
"About myself, sir ?" said I.
"Yes." "Guardian," said I, venturing to put my hand, which was suddenly colder than I could have wished, in his, "nothing! I am quite sure that if there were anything I ought to know or had any need to know, I should not have to ask you to tell it to me.