But I looked upon the matter as our own--as between us only.

I confess that I have not till now thought of that part of it, but surely--You cannot mean to tell me that what I have always supposed my sincere and devoted friendship for Miss Murchison has been in any way prejudicial--" "To her in the ordinary sense?
To her prospects of marriage and her standing in the eyes of the community?
No, Finlay.No.I have not heard the matter much referred to.

You seem to have taken none of the ordinary means--you have not distinguished her in the eyes of gossip.

If you had it would be by no means the gravest thing to consider.

Such tokens are quickly forgotten, especially here, where attentions of the kind often, I've noticed, lead to nothing.