He felt that he was taking no steps to approach the subject which he should have to discuss before he left her,—­or rather the statement which he had resolved that he would make.  Indeed every word which he allowed her to say respecting this Mexican project carried him farther away from it.  He was giving reasons why the journey should not be made; but was tacitly admitting that if it were to be made she might be one of the travellers.  The very offer on her part implied an understanding that his former abnegation of the engagement had been withdrawn, and yet he shrunk from the cruelty of telling her, in a sideway fashion, that he would not submit to her companionship either for the purpose of such a journey or for any other purpose.  The thing must be said in...