Perhaps it was simply a manoeuvre for getting rid of himself; and he remembered his doubt whether a certain light in her eyes when she inquired concerning his sincerity were innocent earnestness or the reverse.

As the possibility of levity crossed his brain, his face warmed; it pained him to think that a woman so interesting could condescend to a trick of even so mild a complexion as that.

He wanted to think her the soul of all that was tender, and noble, and kind.

The pleasure of setting himself to win a minister's goodwill was a little tarnished now.
VIII.
That evening Somerset was so preoccupied with these things that he left all his sketching implements out-of-doors in the castle grounds.

The next morning he hastened thither to secure them from being stolen or spoiled.