But the squire was prepared for some difficulties.
"I do not see the impossibility," he said quite calmly.

"Of course, I would not press you for an answer, my dear Mrs.Goddard.I am afraid I have been very abrupt, but I will go away, I will leave you to consider--" "Oh no, no!" cried the poor lady in great distress.

"It is quite impossible--I assure you it is quite, quite impossible!" "I don't know," said Mr.Juxon, who saw that she was deeply moved, but was loath to abandon the field without a further struggle.

"I am not a very young man, it is true--but I am not a very old one either.

You, my dear Mrs.Goddard, have been a widow for some years--" "I ?" cried Mrs.Goddard with a wild hysterical laugh.