"I doubt your qualifications for that office," said Eleanor.
"Suppose you try me. What were you confessing to Dr. Cairnes just now in the window?"
"Nonsense, Robert!" said Eleanor. "I was talking of something you would not understand."
"You underrate me," said he coolly. "My powers of understanding are equal to the old gentleman's, unless I am mistaken in myself. What are you unhappy about, darling?"
"Nothing that you could make anything of," said Eleanor. "I was talking to Dr. Cairnes in a language that you do not understand. Do let it alone!"
"Did he report you truly, to have used the English word 'unhappy'?"
"Yes," said Eleanor; "but Mr. Carlisle, you do not know what you are talking about."
"I am coming to it. Darling, do you think you would be unhappy at the
Priory?"
"I did not say that—" said Eleanor, confused.
"Do you think I could make you happy there?—Speak, Eleanor—speak!"