"If I had been a young lady in your own rank of life," she went on, "I might have thanked you for paying me a compliment, and have given you a serious answer.

As it is, I am afraid that I must say that you have surprised and disappointed me.

I can claim very little for myself, I know.

But I did imagine--so long as there was nothing unbecoming in my conduct--that I had some right to your respect." Listening more and more impatiently, Hardyman took her by the hand, and burst out with another of his abrupt questions.
"What can you possibly be thinking of ?" he asked.
She gave him no answer; she only looked at him reproachfully, and tried to release herself.
Hardyman held her hand faster than ever.
"I believe you think me an infernal scoundrel!" he said.

"I can stand a good deal, Miss Isabel, but I can't stand _that_.