"You may say there's no particular reason why you should do me a favour. Indeed I only know of one:the fact that if you'd let me I'd gladly do you one."Her soft, exact tone, in which there was no attempt at effect, had an extreme sincerity; and her companion,though he presented rather a hard surface, couldn't help being touched by it. When he was touched he rarely showed it, however, by the usual signs;he neither blushed, nor looked away, nor looked conscious. He only fixed his attention more directly;he seemed to consider with added firmness. Henrietta continued therefore disinterestedly, without the sense of an advantage. "I may say now, indeed—it seems a good time—that if I've ever annoyed you (and I think sometimes I have) it's because I knew I was willing to suffer annoyance for you. I've troubled you—doubtless. But I'd take trouble for you."