Much to her annoyance, therefore, Winifred was left alone with the woollen-draper, who following up a maxim of his own, "that nothing was gained by too much bashfulness," determined to profit by the opportunity.

He had only been prevented, indeed, by a fear of Mrs.Wood from pressing his suit long ago.

This obstacle removed, he thought he might now make the attempt.
Happen what might, he could not be in a worse position.
"We have had a sad loss, my dear Winifred," he began,--"for I must use the privilege of an old friend, and address you by that familiar name,--we have had a sad loss in the death of your lamented parent, whose memory I shall for ever revere." Winifred's eyes filled with tears.

This was not exactly what the woollen-draper desired.

So he resolved to try another tack.
"What a very remarkable thing it is," he observed, applying to his snuff-box, "that Thames Darrell, whom we all supposed dead,"-- Kneebone in his heart sincerely wished he _had_ been so,--"should turn out to be alive after all.