"Presently; when I have finished. You must have seen that I love this dear girl as a daughter; and there is not a thought of her heart that she can conceal from me, though her delicacy is so great that I am confident she thinks me unaware of her state of mind at this moment. But I saw how the affair was going from the very beginning; and the failure of her health and looks since your accident have left me no doubt whatever, and have made me feel it my duty to give you the encouragement your modesty requires, and to confide to you how wholly her happiness lies in your hands." "Hester! Miss Ibbotson! I assure you, Mrs Grey, you must be completely mistaken." "I beg your pardon: I am not so easily mistaken as some people. There is Mrs Rowland, now! I am sure she fancies that her brother is in love with Hester, when it is plain to everybody but herself that he and my other young cousin are coming to a conclusion as fast as need be. However, I know you do not like to hear me find fault with Mrs Rowland; and, besides, I have no right to tell Margaret's secrets; so we will say no more about that." Mr Hope sighed heavily. These remarks upon Enderby and Margaret accorded but too well with his own observations. He could not let Mrs Grey proceed without opposition; but all he was capable of was to repeat that she was entirely mistaken. "Yes, that is what men like you always say,--in all sincerity, of course. Your modesty always stands in the way of your happiness for a while: but you are no losers by it. The happiness is all the sweeter when it comes at last." "But that is not what I mean. You have made it difficult for me to explain myself. I hardly know how to say it; but it must be said. You have mistaken my intentions,--mistaken them altogether." It was now Mrs Grey's turn to change colour. She asked in a trembling voice: "Do you mean to say, Mr Hope, that you have not been paying attentions to Hester Ibbotson?" "I do say so; that I have paid no attentions of the nature you suppose. You compel me to speak plainly." "Then I must speak plainly too, Mr Hope. If any one had told me you would play the part you have played, I should have resented the imputation as I resent your conduct now. If you have not intended to win Hester's affections, you have behaved infamously. You have won her attachment by attentions which have never varied, from the very first evening that she entered our house, till this afternoon. You have amused yourself with her, it seems; and now you are going to break her heart." "Stop, stop, Mrs Grey! I cannot hear this." "There is not a soul in the place that does not think as I do. There is not a soul that will not say--." "Let us put aside what people may say. If, by any imprudence of my own, I have brought blame upon myself, I must bear it. The important point is--. Surely, Mrs Grey, it is possible that you may be in error about Miss Ibbotson's--Miss Ibbotson's state of mind."