What I tell you now is of course a secret; and I should speak of it to no one under any circumstances but those which unite us two together.

My cousin Will, when he was at Belton, made me an offer." "He did, did he?
You did not tell me that when you were saying all those fine things in his praise in the railway carriage." "Of course I did not.

Why should I?
I wasn't bound to tell you my secrets then, sir." "But he did absolutely offer to you ?" "Is there anything so wonderful in that?
But, wonderful or not, he did." "And you refused him ?" "I refused him certainly." "It wouldn't have been a bad match, if all that you say about his property is true." "If you come to that, it would have been a very good match; and perhaps you think I was silly to decline it ?" "I don't say that." "Papa thought so;--but, then, I couldn't tell papa the whole truth, as I can tell it to you now, Captain Aylmer.

I couldn't tell dear papa that my heart was not my own to give to my cousin Will; nor could I give Will any such reason.

Poor Will! I could only say to him bluntly that I wouldn't have him." "And you would, if it hadn't been,--hadn't been--for me." "Nay, Fred; there you tax me too far.