Thomas was older than Charlotte, but he looked younger.
It seemed, too, as if he looked younger when with her than at other times, although he was always anxiously steady and respectful, and lost much of that youthful dash which made him questioningly admired by the young people of Pembroke.
Charlotte began at once after they were seated.

Her fair, grave face colored, her voice had in it a solemn embarrassment.

"I don't know but you thought I was doing a strange thing to ask you to come here to-night," she said.
"No, I didn't; I didn't think so, Charlotte," Thomas declared, warmly.
"I felt as if I ought to.

I felt as if it was my duty to," said she.
She cast her eyes down.

Thomas waited, looking at her with vague alarm.