Her colour brightened, and she turned to him with a look of interest. “I never in my life,” he thought, “saw anything so remarkable and so captivating as the lighting of those features!” His face betrayed his thoughts⁠—perhaps without betraying him, for it might have been according to its instructions so to do.

“Pardon me. The expression of your sisterly interest is so beautiful⁠—Tom should be so proud of it⁠—I know this is inexcusable, but I am so compelled to admire.”

“Being so impulsive,” she said composedly.

“ Mrs. Bounderby, no: you know I make no pretence with you. You know I am a sordid piece of human nature, ready to sell myself at any time for any reasonable sum, and altogether incapable of any Arcadian proceeding whatever.”

“I am waiting,” she returned, “for your further reference to my brother.”