To his own thinking there was nothing preposterous in the nature of his request, though it might have been made with some precipitate informality.

He did not regard himself exactly as the lady regarded him, and therefore, though he saw her surprise, he still hoped that he might be able to convince her that in all that he was doing he was as anxious for the welfare of her child as she could be herself.
She sat there so long without saying a word that he found himself obliged to renew his suit.

'Of course, Mrs.Bolton, I am aware how very little you know of me.' 'Nothing at all,' she answered, hurriedly;--'or rather too much.' He blushed up to his eyes, perfectly understanding the meaning of her words; and, knowing that he had not deserved them, he was almost angry.
'If you will make inquiry I think you will find that I have so far succeeded as to justify you in hoping that I may be able to marry and settle myself in my own country.' 'You don't know my daughter at all.' 'Very little.' 'It is quite out of the question.

She is very young, and such a thing has never occurred to her.

And we are not the same sort of people.' 'Why not, Mrs.Bolton?
Your husband and my father have been intimate friends for a great many years.