"'Why?' he asked quickly.
"'People cannot see each other's hearts,' I said. 'Suppose that she have the same secret feeling towards you that you have towards her. She cannot speak; you will not; and so both would be unhappy for nothing.
"'I never saw the least thing like it,' he said.
"'I suppose she might say the same of you—might she not?'
"'Yes and with truth; for knowing the uncertainties—or rather the certainties—of my position, I have not given her the least cause.'
"'You could hardly expect demonstrations from her in that case,' I said.
"'There is no chance, Mrs. Caxton, even if it were according to your supposition. Her friends would never permit her to marry a man with my lot in life;—and I do not know that I ought to ask her, even if they would. She has a very fair prospect for this world's happiness.'
"'What do you think of your own lot in life?' I asked him.
"'I would not exchange it, you know,' he said, 'for any other the world could offer me. It is brighter and better.'
"'It strikes me you are selfish,—' I told him.