Strange, I shouldn't know him when he called on me." "It _is_ strange," replied Winifred, artlessly.

"_I_ knew him at once." "Of course," rejoined Kneebone, a little maliciously, "but that's easily accounted for.

May I be permitted, as a very old and very dear friend of your lamented parent, whose loss I shall ever deplore, to ask you one question ?" "Undoubtedly," replied Winifred.
"And you will answer it frankly ?" "Certainly." "Now for it," thought the woollen-draper, "I shall, at least, ascertain how the land lies .-- Well, then, my dear," he added aloud, "do you still entertain the strong attachment you did to Captain Darrell ?" Winifred's cheeks glowed with blushes, and fixing her eyes, which flashed with resentment, upon the questioner, she said: "I have promised to answer your question, and I will do so.

I love him as a brother." "_Only_ as a brother ?" persisted Kneebone.
If Winifred remained silent, her looks would have disarmed a person of less assurance than the woollen-draper.
"If you knew how much importance I attach to your answer," he continued passionately, "you would not refuse me one.

Were Captain Darrell to offer you his hand, would you accept it ?" "Your impertinence deserves very different treatment, Sir," said Winifred; "but, to put an end to this annoyance, I will tell you--I would not." "And why not ?" asked Kneebone, eagerly.
"I will not submit to be thus interrogated," said Winifred, angrily.
"In the name of your lamented parent, whose memory I shall for ever revere, I implore you to answer me," urged Kneebone, "why--why would you not accept him ?" "Because our positions are different," replied Winifred, who could not resist this appeal to her feelings.
"You are a paragon of prudence and discretion," rejoined the woollen-draper, drawing his chair closer to hers.