Perplexed and confused, she had not fully comprehended his purpose until he uttered the closing sentence, and painful astonishment kept her silent, while as if spellbound her gaze met his.
"Now it remains for you to answer one question. Should your mother give her consent, does Miss Regina Orme intend to become my cousin?"
"Oh, never! You distress me; you ought not to talk to me of such things. I am so young, you know mother would not approve of it."
She blushed scarlet, and attempted to withdraw her hands, but found it impossible.
"Quite true, and if crazy young gentlemen could be prevailed upon to keep silent, rest assured I should never have broached a subject, which I regard as premature. But while I certainly applaud your good sense, it is rather problematical whether I should feel gratified at your summary rejection of an alliance with my cousin. Are you fully resolved that I shall never be related to you, except as your guardian?"
"Yes, sir. I do not wish to be your cousin."
Once more the smile shone out suddenly, making sunshine in his face.
"Thank you. At what hour will you see Mr. Roscoe?"
"At none. Please do not let him come here, or speak to me on that subject; it would be so extremely painful. I should never meet him afterward without feeling distressed, and things would be intolerably disagreeable. Please, Mr. Palma, shield me from it."
She involuntarily drew closer to him, as if for protection, and noting the movement, he smiled, and tightened his clasp of her hands.