I shall not see you again for months to come, and yet you seem to begrudge me two words." "Not two hundred if they can be of any service to you," said she, walking cheerily back into the drawing-room; "only I did not think it worth while to waste your time, as Fanny is not here." She was infinitely more collected, more master of herself than he was.
Inwardly, she did tremble at the idea of what was coming, but outwardly she showed no agitation--none as yet; if only she could so possess herself as to refrain from doing so, when she heard what he might have to say to her.
He hardly knew what it was for the saying of which he had so resolutely come thither.

He had by no means made up his mind that he loved Lucy Robarts; nor had he made up his mind that, loving her, he would, or that, loving her, he would not, make her his wife.

He had never used his mind in the matter in any way, either for good or evil.

He had learned to like her and to think that she was very pretty.

He had found out that it was very pleasant to talk to her; whereas, talking to Griselda Grantly, and, indeed, to some other young ladies of his acquaintance, was often hard work.