"I am glad of that, Lord Lovel."
"It is for you to tell it,—if it must be told."
"I did tell your aunt Jane,—that you and I never can be as—you said you wished."
"I did wish it most heartily. You did not tell it—all."
"No;—not all."
"You astounded me so, that I could hardly speak to you as I should have spoken. I did not mean to be uncourteous."
"I did not think you uncourteous, Lord Lovel. I am sure you would not be uncourteous to me."
"But you astounded me. It is not that I think much of myself, or of my rank as belonging to me. I know that I have but little to be proud of. I am very poor,—and not clever like some young men who have not large fortunes, but who can become statesmen and all that. But I do think much of my order; I think much of being a gentleman,—and much of ladies being ladies. Do you understand me?"
"Oh, yes;—I understand you."
"If you are Lady Anna Lovel—"