You give me no chance of telling you what I had done to protect you--of expressing my infinite sorrow and regret.

I can only imagine that you resent our negligence too deeply even to speak of it--that you cannot forgive us!' 'Forgive!' cried Lucy, fairly taken aback.

'What could I have to forgive, Mr.Manisty ?--what can you mean ?' 'Explain to me then,' said he, unflinching, 'why you have never had a kind word for me, or a kind look, since this happened.

Please sit down, Miss Foster'-- he pointed to a marble bench close beside her--'I will stand here.
The others are far away.

Ten minutes you owe me--ten minutes I claim.' Lucy sat down, struggling to maintain her dignity and presence of mind.
'I am afraid I have given you very wrong ideas of me,' she said, throwing him a timid smile.