"Oh yes, she said you were engaged to her.

That was why--since I HAD broken out--she thought I might like to see you; as I assure you I've been so delighted to.

But AREN'T you ?" the good lady asked as if she saw in his face some ground for doubt.
"Assuredly--if she says so.

It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.

We WERE," the young man explained, "engaged a year ago; but since then (if you don't mind my telling you such things; I feel now as if I could tell you anything!) I haven't quite known how I stand.