"An only child?"
"Yes."
"What is her age?"
"Twenty-two."
"Has she a sweetheart? Is she engaged to be married?"
"No."
"That answer seems to me to be given with constraint."
"Well," said Carton, "it is hardly right, is it, to go so minutely into my guardian's private family affairs?"
"It is entirely right. I am engaged upon a very solemn task, and I can see, probably, what is hidden from you. Why were you partly disinclined to answer my last question?"
"It is a little awkward," replied Carton, "because, perhaps, I am not quite free from blame."