"And others," she said, adroitly, "are so gentle and unselfish, that they live in the happiness of their friends. It would be a pity to cumber such with all the anxieties of wealth; one would as soon think of weighing the angels down with gold."
I declare, the quickness of that woman frightened me. The sneer left her lips in a glow of smiles before it was formed. Her eyes were bent on my face innocent as a child's. She sat down by me, folding the scarlet shawl lightly around her.
CHAPTER XX.
ADROIT CROSS-QUESTIONING.
"Now that we are talking of rich people," said Mrs. Dennison, with an air of the most natural confidence, "do tell me about this Mr. Lawrence. Is he very much in love with our Jessie, or not?"
"I never heard or thought that he was in love with her, Mrs. Dennison."
"Nor she with him?"
The question stung me. It gave form to a painful thought that had been growing in my heart, and I felt myself blushing hotly under her glance.
"Mrs. Dennison, are such questions honorable?"