I very soon put a stop to that.

'I can't talk to a pendulum,' I said, but I could not persuade him to sit down again.
'Candidly,' he said at length, 'do you think she would have me ?' 'I regret to say that I think she would.

But you would not dream of asking her.' 'Why not?
She is a dear girl,' he responded inconsequently.
'You could not possibly stand it.' Then Mr.Tottenham delivered himself of this remarkable phrase: 'I could stand it,' he said, 'as well as you can.' There was far from being any joy in the irony with which I regarded him and under which I saw him gather up his resolution to go; nevertheless I did nothing to make it easy for him.

I refrained from imparting my private conviction that Cecily would accept the first presentable substitute that appeared, although it was strong.

I made no reference to my daughter's large fund of philosophy and small balance of sentiment.