"Weight with me? Yes, a little. But with me, Daisy. They must
not change me into somebody not myself."

"Would that? -"

"If I could be content to have your faith in secret, or to
wait to know if I might have it at all? I must be somebody not
myself, Daisy."

I pondered and felt very grave. Was it true, that Mr. Thorold,
though no Christian, was following a rule of action more noble
and good than I, who made such professions? It was noble, I
felt that. Had my wish been cowardly and political? Must not
open truth be the best way always? Yet with my father and
mother old experience had long ago taught me to hold my tongue
and not speak till the time came. Which was right? I felt that
his rule of action crossed all my _inner_ nature, if it were not
indeed the habit which had become second nature. Mr. Thorold
watched me.

"What is it, Daisy? - my Daisy?" he asked with a tender
inquisitiveness, though looking amused at me.

"I was thinking -" I answered, - "whether you are a great deal
better than I am."

"Think it by all means," he said laughing. "I am certainly a
good deal braver. But what else, Daisy? there was something
else."