ALINE. She is outwardly hard, and a trifle bitter, but I fancy sunshine would thaw her. There has not been much happiness in her life.
CROCKSTEAD. Would she marry a man she did not love?
ALINE. If she did you would not respect her?
CROCKSTEAD. I don't say that. She will be your choice; and therefore deserving of confidence. Is she handsome?
ALINE. Well—no.
CROCKSTEAD. [With a quick glance at her.] That's a pity. But we can't have everything.
ALINE. No. There is one episode in her life that I feel she would like you to know—
CROCKSTEAD. If you are not betraying a confidence—
ALINE. [Looking down.] No. She loved a man, years ago, very dearly. They were too poor to marry, but they vowed to wait. Within six months she learned that he was engaged.
CROCKSTEAD. Ah!