"Well, my dear, it depends. Many men would make such a remark merely as a compliment; but has any gentleman said this to you?"
"Yes, mamma."
"What gentleman, Mary?" How the mother dreaded the answer which she already guessed! It came at last, clear and distinct, for Mary raised her head to speak, but she did not look up.
"Mr. Henry Halford."
"Did you see much of him at Oxford, Mary?"
"Yes, mamma, he dined with uncle and aunt at the hotel several times, and they liked him very much."
"Was he very attentive to you?"
"No, mamma, not more than to other ladies."
"Did you walk out often alone?"
"Never but once, and that occurred because he went back to fetch a book for me, and the rest got a long way before us."