"She cannot leave me alone to choose for myself, my friends, and my own--;" but he did not fill up the void.
"But why tell me this, Lord Lufton ?" "No! I am not to choose my own friends, though they be amongst the best and purest of God's creatures.

Lucy, I cannot think that you have ceased to have a regard for me.

That you had a regard for me, I am sure." She felt that it was almost unmanly of him thus to seek her out, and hunt her down, and then throw upon her the whole weight of the explanation that his coming thither made necessary.

But, nevertheless, the truth must be told, and with God's help she would find strength for the telling of it.
"Yes, Lord Lufton, I had a regard for you--and have.

By that word you mean something more than the customary feeling of acquaintance which may ordinarily prevail between a gentleman and lady of different families, who have known each other so short a time as we have done." "Yes, something much more," said he with energy.
"Well, I will not define the much--something closer than that ?" "Yes, and warmer, and dearer, and more worthy of two human creatures who value each other's minds and hearts." "Some such closer regard I have felt for you--very foolishly.