"But he meant to be!" said I.
"How did you find out that?" he returned with a smile. "Why, guardian," I explained, not without reddening a little at hazarding what was in my thoughts, "there is something so tender in his manner, after all, and he is so very courtly and gentle to us, and--"
Mr. Jarndyce directed his eyes to where he was sitting as I have just described him.
I said no more.

"But he meant to be!" said I.
"How did you find out that?" he returned with a smile.
"Why, guardian," I explained, reddening a little, "there is something so tender in his manner, and he is so very courtly and gentle to us."
