In days now past there were moments when I was almost rash enough to hope that I might have said even more than that.

I confess that I had no warrant for such hopes, but I believe that I may still look on you as a friend ?" "Oh, yes, certainly," said Alexandrina, in a very low voice, and with a certain amount of tenderness in her tone.

"I have always regarded you as a friend." "And therefore I venture to make the request.

The subject is not one on which I can speak openly, without regret, at the present moment.
But to you, at least, I promise that I will explain it all before I leave Courcy." He at any rate succeeded in mystifying Lady Alexandrina.

"I don't believe he is engaged a bit," she said to Lady Amelia Gazebee that night.
"Nonsense, my dear.