"Oh, no; there was nothing for her to say. You are not to suppose that any harm has been done."
"What harm could have been done?" he asked. Of what nature was the harm of which Mrs. Roden was speaking? Could it be that Marion had made any sign of altered feelings; had declared in any way her liking or disliking; had given outward testimony of thoughts which would have been pleasant to him,—or perhaps unpleasant,—had he known them?
"No harm, of course," said Mrs. Roden;—"only to a nature such as hers all excitement is evil."
"I cannot believe that," he said, after a pause. "Now and then in the lives of all of us there must come moments of excitement which cannot be all evil. What would Marion say if I were to tell her that I loved her?"
"I hope you will not do that, my lord."
"Why should you hope so? What right have you to hope so? If I do love her, is it not proper that I should tell her?"
"But it would not be proper that you should love her."
"There, Mrs. Roden, I take the liberty of declaring that you are altogether in the wrong, and that you speak without due consideration."
"Do I, my lord?"
"I think so. Why am I not to be allowed the ordinary privilege of a man,—that of declaring my passion to a woman when I meet one who seems in all things to fulfil the image of perfection which I have formed for myself,—when I see a girl that I fancy I can love?"