He was, however, quick-witted beyond his experience, and was internally determined to endeavour to discover something of the character and the temper of him with whom he spoke.

For that purpose, regulating his reply in the same tone with Bridgenorth's observation, he said, that not having the advantage to know his place of residence, he had applied for information to his daughter.
"Who is now known to you for the first time ?" said Bridgenorth.

"Am I so to understand you ?" "By no means," answered Julian, looking down; "I have been known to your daughter for many years; and what I wished to say, respects both her happiness and my own." "I must understand you," said Bridgenorth, "even as carnal men understand each other on the matters of this world.

You are attached to my daughter by the cords of love; I have long known this." "You, Master Bridgenorth ?" exclaimed Peveril--"_You_ have long known it ?" "Yes, young man.

Think you, that as the father of an only child, I could have suffered Alice Bridgenorth--the only living pledge of her who is now an angel in heaven--to have remained in this seclusion without the surest knowledge of all her material actions?
I have, in person, seen more, both of her and of you, than you could be aware of; and when absent in the body, I had the means of maintaining the same superintendence.