“What did my uncle say?”
“He said he would not interfere in the matter; if you liked to accept Mr. Boarham’s obliging offer, you—”
“Did he say obliging offer?”
“No; he said if you liked to take him you might; and if not, you might please yourself.”
“He said right; and what did you say?”
“It is no matter what I said. What will you say?—that is the question. He is now waiting to ask you himself; but consider well before you go; and if you intend to refuse him, give me your reasons.”
“I shall refuse him, of course; but you must tell me how, for I want to be civil and yet decided—and when I’ve got rid of him, I’ll give you my reasons afterwards.”
“But stay, Helen; sit down a little and compose yourself. Mr. Boarham is in no particular hurry, for he has little doubt of your acceptance; and I want to speak with you. Tell me, my dear, what are your objections to him? Do you deny that he is an upright, honourable man?”
“No.”
“Do you deny that he is sensible, sober, respectable?”