The foremost effect of what he had heard had been a sort of irritation of his modesty.

"Of course," said Felix, "I suggest nothing; it would be very presumptuous in me to advise you.

But I think there is no doubt about the fact." Mr.Brand looked hard at the floor for some moments; he was oppressed with a mixture of sensations.

Felix, standing there, was very sure that one of them was profound surprise.

The innocent young man had been completely unsuspicious of poor Charlotte's hidden flame.