“I have done a great deal since I saw you yesterday,” he answered, taking refuge in a jest.
“You have, indeed.”
“Including taking your advice.”
“I am quite sure you had made up your mind before you asked my opinion,” she answered earnestly.
“No,” he said, “I am sure I had not. It was your hint which led me to think the position out from the beginning. When I did so it struck me that, irritated by Lord Dynmore’s words and manner, I had considered the question only as it affected him and myself. Going on to think of the parish, I came to the conclusion, that I was quite unfit for the position.”
Kate started. The end of his sentence was a surprise to her. They were walking along side by side now—very slowly—and she looked at him, mute interrogation in her eyes.
“I am too young,” he said. “Your father, you know, was of that opinion from the first.”
“Oh, but”—she answered hurriedly, “I——”
“You do not think so?” he said with a droll glance. “Well, I am glad of that. What? You were not going to say that, Miss Bonamy?”
“No,” she answered, blushing. “I was going to say that my father’s opinion might not now be the same, Mr. Lindo.”