She couldn't bear to add to it.

'I've guessed nothing,' she said.

'You must enlighten me.' 'I wasn't sure at first,' said Franklin, groping his way.

'He seemed so devoted to Lady Pickering; but for some days it's been obvious, hasn't it, that that wasn't in the least serious ?' 'Not in the least.' 'I couldn't have reconciled myself,' said Franklin, 'to the idea of a man, who could take Lady Pickering seriously, marrying Althea.

I can't quite reconcile myself to the idea of a man who could, well, be so devoted to Lady Pickering, marrying Althea.