pause? Was he about to tell me he had discovered that my
advances sprang from curiosity to know more about him than he was
willing to reveal? I waited for him to proceed.

"I have only failed," he continued, "in the courtesy and gratitude you
had a right to expect from me, because, knowing how you were situated
with Mr. Sherwin's daughter, I thought any intrusion on my part, while
you were with the young lady, might not be so acceptable as you, Sir, in
your kindness, were willing to lead me to believe."

"Let me assure you," I answered; relieved to find myself unsuspected,
and really impressed by his delicacy--"let me assure you that I fully
appreciate the consideration you have shown--"

Just as the last words passed my lips, the thunder pealed awfully over
the house. I said no more: the sound silenced me.

"As my explanation has satisfied you, Sir," he went on; his clear
and deliberate utterance rising discordantly audible above the long,
retiring roll of the last burst of thunder--"may I feel justified in
speaking on the subject of your present position in my employer's house,
with some freedom? I mean, if I may say so without offence, with the
freedom of a friend."

I begged he would use all the freedom he wished; feeling really desirous
that he should do so, apart from any purpose of leading him to talk
unreservedly on the chance of hearing him talk of himself. The profound
respect of manner and phrase which he had hitherto testified--observed
by a man of his age, to a man of mine--made me feel ill at ease. He was
most probably my equal in acquirements: he had the manners and tastes
of a gentleman, and might have the birth too, for aught I knew to the
contrary. The difference between us was only in our worldly positions.
I had not enough of my father's pride of caste to think that this
difference alone, made it right that a man whose years nearly doubled
mine, whose knowledge perhaps surpassed mine, should speak to me as Mr.
Mannion had spoken up to this time.

"I may tell you then," he resumed, "that while I am anxious to commit no
untimely intrusion on your hours at North Villa, I am at the same time
desirous of being something more than merely inoffensive towards you. I
should wish to be positively useful, as far as I can. In my opinion
Mr. Sherwin has held you to rather a hard engagement--he is trying your
discretion a little too severely I think, at your years and in your
situation. Feeling thus, it is m