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 my sincere wish to render what connection and influence I have with the family, useful in making the probation you have still to pass through, as easy as possible.  I have more means of doing this, Sir, than you might at first imagine.”

His offer took me a little by surprise.  I felt with a sort of shame, that candour and warmth of feeling were what I had not expected from him.  My attention insensibly wandered away from the storm, to attach itself more and more closely to him, as he went on: 

“I am perfectly sensible,” he resumed, “that such a proposition as I now make to you, proceeding from one little better than a stranger, may cause surprise and even suspicion, at first.  I can only explain it, by asking you to remember that I have known the young lady since childhood; and that, having assisted in forming her mind and developing her character, I feel towards her almost as a second father, and am therefore naturally interested in the gentleman who has chosen her for a wife.”

Was there a tremor at last in that changeless voice, as he spoke?  I thought so; and looked anxiously to catch the answering gleam of expression, which might now, for the first time, be softening his iron features, animating the blank stillness of his countenance.  If any such expression had been visible, I was too late to detect it.  Just as I looked at him he stooped down to poke the fire.  When he turned towards me again, his face was the same impenetrable face, his eye the same hard, steady, inexpressive eye as before.