There was a long silence.

The old man wished to give his companion time to think; and indeed he thought that Harold was weighing the proposition in his mind.

As for Harold, he was thinking how best he could make his absolute refusal inoffensive.

He must, he felt, give some reason; and his thoughts were bent on how much of the truth he could safely give without endangering his secret.

Therefore he spoke at last in general terms: 'I can only ask you, sir, to bear with me and to believe that I am very truly and sincerely grateful to you for your trust.