It was that I feared thy displeasure, my father.

I had heard thee say--" "Nothing against Sir Robert, I warrant me," cried Sir Richard heartily; whilst Kate took one backward step and exclaimed: "Methought Sir Robert was Cecilia's lover! Why speak you to me of him, my father ?" Sir Richard rose to his feet in great perplexity, looking at his wife, who was pale and agitated.
"Cecilia's lover--what meanest thou, child ?" he asked quickly.

"I was speaking to thee of thine own lover.

Sir Robert would fain wed with thee, and methought thou hadst already given him thy heart." "No--no--no!" cried Kate, shrinking yet further away.

"I had no thoughts of him.