After a long pause Hamilton spoke without lifting his eyes:-- "I suppose no other man ever received such an arraignment in cold blood as I have just heard from Baron Clyde." Then turning hesitatingly to my cousin, "But I am sorry to say it is true, Mistress Jennings, true in every word." He looked into my eyes, again bowed his head, and spoke after a long silence: "Baron Ned, I can almost find it in my heart to thank you for having done your duty so bravely.

I have known for some time that I am not fit to be this lady's companion and that I have no right to seek her friendship." I bowed low, without speaking, and after another long pause he looked up to me again as he asked:-- "Now will you take my hand ?" "Gladly, George," I answered, giving him my hand, which he held for a moment and dropped without a word, a strange smile playing about his lips.
Naturally enough, Frances was at a loss how to act.

Tears of vexation came to her eyes, and she turned from us to dry them with her handkerchief.

She failed to find the handkerchief, so she turned to George, who, seeing her need, drew it from his pocket where she had left it for safe-keeping.

The first favor a young girl shows to a man when she finds herself in a "coming on disposition" is to hide some of her intimate personal belongings in his pocket.