Indeed, the mere idea of such a thing involved a supposition that would only have been acceptable to a conceited man--namely, that there was a possibility of this young lady's falling in love with him.

What right had he to suppose anything of the sort?
It was an impertinence.

That there was another sort of possibility--namely, of his becoming more attached to her than was altogether desirable--did, however, occur to him once or twice.

But he shrugged his shoulders and put it by.

After all, it was his look out, and he did not much care.