'So it would seem.'
'I must never, never see him, and am most anxious to get away before he comes here, if he cares at all to visit so poor a place.'
'He might fall in love with you—nay, would be sure to do so,' said Colville, stooping nearer her, and lowering his voice. 'Love, with cousinship, soon develops, and he might marry you.'
'I would not marry him if there was not another man in the world!' exclaimed Mary, reddening in positive anger, with a choking and half smothered sob in her throat; and Colville laughed excessively at her increased but momentary annoyance at his suggestion, which indeed was far from being an unnatural one.
'If he saw you, he would certainly leave you in undisturbed possession of Birkwoodbrae.'
'A speech meant to be gallant; but he shall not see me if I can help it.'
He laughed again, and Mary felt piqued.
'From what I hear of all the matter,' he began, 'from what I know of you——'
'Of me, Captain Colville—what can you know of me?' asked Mary, almost petulantly.
'Shall I say, then, from what I know of your cousin Wellwood——'