         
         ascent = textLine.ascent;
         descent = textLine.descent;
-        charWidth = textLine.textWidth;
-    }
-    
+    }
+    
+    /**
+     *  @private
+     *  Calculates the height needed for heightInLines lines using the default
+     *  font.
+     */
+    private function calculateHeightInLines():Number
+    {
+        var height:Number = getStyle("paddingTop") + getStyle("paddingBottom");
+            
+        if (heightInLines == 0)
+            return height;
+                        
+        // Position of the baseline of first line in the container.
+        value = getStyle("firstBaselineOffset");
+        if (value == lineHeight)
+            height += lineHeight;
+        else if (value is Number)
+            height += Number(value);
+        else
+            height += ascent;
+
+        // Distance from baseline to baseline.  Can be +/- number or 
+        // or +/- percent (in form "120%") or "undefined".  
+        if (heightInLines > 1)
+        {
+            var value:Object = getStyle("lineHeight");     
+            var lineHeight:Number = TextUtil.getNumberOrPercentOf(
+                                                    value, 
+                                                    getStyle("fontSize"));
+                
+            // Default is 120%
+            if (isNaN(lineHeight))
+                lineHeight = getStyle("fontSize") * 1.2;
+            
+            height += (heightInLines - 1) * lineHeight;
+        }            
+        
+        // Add in descent of last line.
+        height += descent;              
+        
+        return height;
+    }
+        
     /**
      *  @private
      */

        // styles within the flow.
        textInvalid = true;
        dispatchEvent(new Event("textInvalid"));
        
        // Re-measure not needed since it's based on TextView's style 
        // characteristic, not the textFlow's style characteristics.
        invalidateDisplayList();
    }


     *  @private
     */
    private var contentChanged:Boolean = false;

    /**
     *  Documentation is not currently available.
