All I said to your father was that there appears to be a lot of talk about the place, and, under the circumstances of my son's engagement, that he might perhaps give you a friendly hint." "Oh! indeed; he did not put it quite like that.

He gave me to understand that you had told him--that I was--so--so much in love with Mr.Monk that on this account I had--rejected Mr.Layard." "Please keep walking," said the Colonel, "or you _really_ will catch cold." Then suddenly he stopped, looked her sharply in the face, much as he had done to Eliza, and said, "Well, and are you not in love with him ?" For a moment Stella stared at him indignantly.

Then suddenly he saw a blush spread upon her face to be followed by an intense pallor, while the pupils of the lovely eyes enlarged themselves and grew soft.

Next instant she put her hand to her heart, tottered on her feet, and had he not caught her would perhaps have fallen.
"I do not think I need trouble you to answer my question, which, indeed, now that I think of it, was one I had no right to put," he said as she recovered herself.
"Oh, my God!" moaned Stella, wringing her hands; "I never knew it till this moment.

You have brought it home to me; you, yes, you!" and she burst out weeping.
"Here are the hysterics," thought the Colonel, "and I am afraid that the headache will be bad to-morrow morning." To her, however, he said very tenderly, "My dear girl, my dear girl, pray do not distress yourself.