"You wanted very much to do something else." "I wanted above all things to oblige you, and I made no sacrifice.

But if I had made an immense one, it would be more than made up to me by any assurance that I have helped Roderick into a better mood." She was silent a moment, and then, "Why do you ask me ?" she said.

"You are able to judge quite as well as I." Rowland blushed; he desired to justify himself in the most veracious manner.

"The truth is," he said, "that I am afraid I care only in the second place for Roderick's holding up his head.

What I care for in the first place is your happiness." "I don't know why that should be," she answered.