'I hope I would have done at least as much for any man in such a strait, and most of all for you, sir.

A certain young lady,' he added, with some hesitation, 'has done us many a kind turn, and we naturally feel--I hope I give you no offence in saying this, sir ?' The young man smiled and shook his head; at the same time moving in his chair as if in pain.
'It's no great matter,' he said, in answer to the locksmith's sympathising look, 'a mere uneasiness arising at least as much from being cooped up here, as from the slight wound I have, or from the loss of blood.

Be seated, Mr Varden.' 'If I may make so bold, Mr Edward, as to lean upon your chair,' returned the locksmith, accommodating his action to his speech, and bending over him, 'I'll stand here for the convenience of speaking low.

Barnaby is not in his quietest humour to-night, and at such times talking never does him good.' They both glanced at the subject of this remark, who had taken a seat on the other side of the fire, and, smiling vacantly, was making puzzles on his fingers with a skein of string.
'Pray, tell me, sir,' said Varden, dropping his voice still lower, 'exactly what happened last night.

I have my reason for inquiring.