"No, Sir," said Fleda "and but "
"What is in the way?"
But it seemed impossible for Fleda to tell him.
"May I not know?" he said, gently putting away the hair from Fleda's face, which looked distressed. "Is it only your feeling?"
"No, Sir," said Fleda "at least not the feeling you think it is but I could not do it without giving great pain."
Mr. Carleton was silent.
"Not to anybody you know, Mr. Carleton," said Fleda, suddenly fearing a wrong interpretation to her words "I don't mean that I mean somebody else the person the only person you could apply to" she said, covering her face in utter confusion.
"Do I understand you?" said he, smiling. "Has this gentleman any reason to dislike the sight of me?"
"No, Sir," said Fleda "but he thinks he has."
"That only I meant," said he. "You are quite right, my dear
Elfie I, of all men, ought to understand that."