She longed to extract from him some repeated and prolonged assurance which might bring satisfaction to her own mind.

"I am glad, at any rate, to hear that there is no truth in that suspicion." To this he would not condescend to reply, but sat glowering at her as though in wrath that any question should be asked him about his private concerns.

"You must feel, Fred, for your uncle in such a matter.

You must know how important this is to him.

You have heard what he has already suffered; and you must know too that he has endeavoured to be very good to you." "I do know that he has,--been very good to me." "Perhaps you are angry with me for interfering." He would not deny that he was angry.