For a moment Guy was at a loss how to reply. He was confused and irritated under the consciousness that Aldyth understood him too well. He had hoped that she would reject him, yet now that she did so, he was vividly conscious of the annoying consequences that must ensue for him, and felt an obstinate desire to change her mind.
"You need not be jealous of Hilda," he began, but Aldyth checked him indignantly.
"How can you say such a thing? I 'jealous of Hilda,' indeed! You mistake me utterly if you think I could entertain such a feeling for a moment."
"Then I hope you will believe how much I care for you, and say that you will be my wife. Nothing would please uncle more; he told me to tell you so."
"As if that could make any difference," said Aldyth, impatiently.
"But you have always been anxious to please uncle," remarked Guy, feebly. "You gave up the lectures at his wish."
"Do you think the cases are parallel?" asked Aldyth, with scorn in her tone. "I will endeavour to please uncle in all that is right; but I will not do wrong for the sake of him or any one, and I should be doing a great wrong if I consented to marry you, feeling towards you as I do."
"You cannot love me?"
"Not in that way, certainly," replied Aldyth. "Please say no more about it, Guy. It is quite out of the question."
"Uncle will be very angry," said Guy.