I have family--position--money--I----" "I am to understand, then, that _you_ are a candidate for the hand of my ward," says the professor slowly, so slowly that it might suggest itself to a disinterested listener that he has great difficulty in speaking at all.
"Yes," says Hardinge, very diffidently.

He looks appealingly at the professor.

"I know perfectly well she might do a great deal better," says he, with a modesty that sits very charmingly upon him.

"But if it comes to a choice between me and your brother, I--I think I am the better man.

By Jove, Curzon," growing hot, "it's awfully rude of me, I know, but it is so hard to remember that he _is_ your brother." But the professor does not seem offended.