I entreated her to take time at least to compose herself.

It was not in her impulsive nature to do this.

She said, "Give me your hand to encourage me, and let me speak while I can." I gave her my hand, poor soul.

I said, "Speak to me, my dear, as if I were your father." So far as I could understand the incoherent statement which she addressed to me, she had been the object of admiration (while visiting Maplesworth) of two gentlemen, who both desired to marry her.

Hesitating between them and perfectly inexperienced in such matters, she had been the unfortunate cause of enmity between the rivals, and had returned to Nettlegrove, at her aunt's suggestion, as the best means of extricating herself from a very embarrassing position.