The topic was so weighty--and then she shrank from speaking out what was in her head, perhaps because her auditor was there as well as her sentiments.

Still, she felt she ought to try.
"Mr.Bressant," began she, with a kindling look, "Mr.Bressant, I--" here her voice faltered; "oh! you don't know--I can never tell you--I can never forget what you did last night!" This was the end of the great speech.
Bressant became still more red and uncomfortable.

"I made a fool of myself last night," said he, dejectedly.

"I wish you hadn't been there; if I'd known what a piece of work--" "But you saved my papa's life!" interrupted Cornelia, in a blaze.
The young man looked as if struck with a new idea.

It seemed as if he had not before thought of looking upon the professor as an independent quantity in the affair.