He saw her lips formed into a _no_, though the sound was inarticulate, but her face was like scarlet.

That, however, in so modest a girl, might be very compatible with innocence; and chusing at least to appear satisfied, he quickly added, "No, no, I know _that_ is quite out of the question; quite impossible.

Well, there is nothing more to be said." And for a few minutes he did say nothing.

He was deep in thought.

His niece was deep in thought likewise, trying to harden and prepare herself against farther questioning.