said Joseph, with a most killing tenderness; and was no doubt about to follow up this artful interrogatory by a question still more tender (for he puffed and panted a great deal, and Rebecca's hand, which was placed near his heart, could count the feverish pulsations of that organ), when, oh, provoking! 
said Joseph tenderly; and was no doubt about to follow up this question with one still more tender - when, oh, provoking! 