If he had asked me, I should have guessed him (though he was really three years older) to have been younger than Lucilla.
"Our acquaintance has begun rather oddly, sir," I said.

"You spoke strangely to me last night; and I have spoken hastily to you this morning.

Accept my excuses--and let us try if we can't do each other justice in the end.

I have something more to say to you before we part.
Will you think me a very extraordinary woman, if I suggest that you may as well invite _me_ next, to take a chair in your house ?" He laughed with the pleasantest good temper, and led the way in.
We entered the room in which he had received Lucilla; and sat down together on the two chairs near the window--with this difference--that I contrived to possess myself of the seat which he had occupied, and so to place him with his face to the light.
"Mr.Dubourg," I began, "you will already have guessed that I overheard what Miss Finch said to you at parting ?" He bowed, in silent acknowledgment that it was so--and began to toy nervously with the gold vase which Lucilla had left on the table.
"What do you propose to do ?" I went on.

"You have spoken of the interest you feel in my young friend.