Ignorant as he was of the ways of women, his instinct told him that this was a bad sign.

Surely her rising color would have confessed it, if time and gratitude together were teaching her to love him?
He sighed as the inevitable conclusion forced itself on his mind.
"I hope I have not offended you ?" he said sadly.
"Oh, no." "I wish I had not spoken.

Pray don't think that I am serving you with any selfish motive." "I don't think that, Robert.

I never could think it of _you_." He was not quite satisfied yet.

"Even if you were to marry some other man," he went on earnestly, "it would make no difference in what I am trying to do for you.