'I think we ought to be quite serious,' she said hurriedly. 'I
don't want you to misunderstand me. If you knew how I valued this
opportunity of doing this classical work with you! It is
_wonderful_'--her voice wavered a little, or the Squire fancied
it--'what you have taught me even in this short time. I am proud to
have been your secretary--and your pupil. If it were only that'--she
paused--'but you have also been so kind as to--to take me into your
confidence--to let me do things for you, outside of what you engaged
me for. I see plainly that--if I go on with this--I shall become
your secretary--your agent in fact--for a great many things besides
Greek.'
Then she made an impetuous step forward.
'Mr. Mannering!--the atmosphere of this house chokes me!'
The Squire dropped back into his chair, watching her with eyes in
which he tried--not very successfully--to keep dignity alive.
'Your reasons?'
'I am with the _country_!' she said, not without signs of agitation;
'and you seem to me to care nothing about the country!'
Disputation was never unwelcome to the Squire.
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