On the contrary, just now he seems particularly anxious to cultivate my friendship." "Then why," the girl asked, "has he gone out of his way to--to--" Mannering stopped her.
"He had a motive, of course.

Borrowdean is one of those men who do nothing without a motive.

I believe that I can even guess what it is.
Don't let this thing distress you too much, Hester.

I do not think that we have anything to worry about." "But he knows!" "I could not imagine a man," Mannering answered, "better able to keep a secret." The girl sat silent for a moment.
"I suppose I have been an idiot," she remarked.
"You have been nothing of the sort," Mannering asserted, firmly.

"You have done just what is kind, and what will help me to save the situation.
I must confess that I should not like to have been taken by surprise.