"But you ought to know me better than to say that.

I am the bearer of a letter from Geoffrey." She was an the point of following his example, and of speaking of Geoffrey by his Christian name, on her side.

But she checked herself, before the word had passed her lips.
"Do you mean Mr.Delamayn ?" she asked, coldly.
"Yes." "What occasion have _I_ for a letter from Mr.Delamayn ?" She was determined to acknowledge nothing--she kept him obstinately at arm's-length.

Arnold did, as a matter of instinct, what a man of larger experience would have done, as a matter of calculation--he closed with her boldly, then and there.
"Miss Silvester! it's no use beating about the bush.

If you won't take the letter, you force me to speak out.