I thought her music very wonderful and I fell into the habit of coming to the orchard in the evenings to hear it . I had no thought of harming her in any way , Mr. Gordon . I thought of her as a mere child , and a child who was doubly sacred because of her affliction . But recently I -- I -- it occurred to me that I was not behaving quite honourably in encouraging her to meet me thus . Yesterday evening I asked her to bring me here and introduce me to you and her aunt . We would have come then if you had been at home . As you were not we arranged to come tonight . '' `` I hope you will not refuse me the privilege of seeing your niece , Mr. Gordon , '' said Eric eagerly . `` I ask you to allow me to visit her here . But I do not ask you to receive me as a friend on my own recommendations only . I will give you references -- men of standing in Charlottetown and Queenslea . If you refer to them -- '' `` I do n't need to do that , '' said Thomas Gordon , quietly . `` I know more of you than you think , Master . I know your father well by reputation and I have seen him . I know you are a rich man 's son , whatever your whim in teaching a country school may be . Since you have kept your own counsel about your affairs I supposed you did n't want your true position generally known , and so I have held my tongue about you . I know no ill of you , Master , and I think none , now that I believe you were not beguiling Kilmeny to meet you unknown to her friends of set purpose . But all this does n't make you a suitable friend for her , sir -- it makes you all the more unsuitable . The less she sees of you the better . '' Eric almost started to his feet in an indignant protest ; but he swiftly remembered that his only hope of winning Kilmeny lay in bringing Thomas Gordon to another way of thinking .
He had got XXXXX better than he had expected so far ; he must not now jeopardize what he had gained by rashness or impatience .
about as at by for if in of on so