No one has been placed by me in a position to make such a suggestion to you without manifest impropriety.

I will ask no further questions about it; but it is quite as well that you should understand at once that I do not consider it to be my duty to give my niece Lilian a fortune on her marriage.

I trust that your offer to her was not made under any such delusion." "No, sir; it was not," said Crosbie.
"Then I suppose that no great harm has been done.

I am sorry if false hopes have been given to you; but I am sure you will acknowledge that they were not given to you by me." "I think you have misunderstood me, sir.

My hopes were never very high; but I thought it right to ascertain your intentions." "Now you know them.