"You do me great injustice--you say what you don't know!" she broke out.

"I shouldn't be an easy victim--I've proved it." "Oh, to me, perfectly." "I've proved it to others as well." And she paused a moment.

"I refused a proposal of marriage last week; what they call--no doubt--a dazzling one." "I'm very glad to hear it," said the young man gravely.
"It was a proposal many girls would have accepted; it had everything to recommend it." Isabel had not proposed to herself to tell this story, but, now she had begun, the satisfaction of speaking it out and doing herself justice took possession of her.

"I was offered a great position and a great fortune--by a person whom I like extremely." Caspar watched her with intense interest.

"Is he an Englishman ?" "He's an English nobleman," said Isabel.
Her visitor received this announcement at first in silence, but at last said: "I'm glad he's disappointed." "Well then, as you have companions in misfortune, make the best of it." "I don't call him a companion," said Casper grimly.
"Why not--since I declined his offer absolutely ?" "That doesn't make him my companion.