When Captain Chambers took his departure, Mr. Ashley looked at William. "I have heard Henry joke you about the Glenn girls—nice little girls they are too! Is there anything in it, William?"
"Sir! How can you ask such a thing?"
"I think, with Chambers, that a man might do worse than marry Sophy Glenn."
"So do I, sir. But I shall not be the man."
"Well, I think it is time you contemplated something of the sort. You will soon be thirty years of age."
"Yes, sir, but I do not intend to marry."
"Why not?" asked Mr. Ashley.
"Because—I fear my wishes would lead me to soar too high. That is, I—I—mean——" He stopped; and seemed to be falling into inextricable confusion. A notable thing for the self-possessed William Halliburton.
"Do you mean that you have an attachment in some quarter?" resumed Mr. Ashley.
William's face turned fiery red. "I cannot deny it, sir," he answered, after considerable hesitation.