"There were excuses for Mrs. Carew, just at that time," said I. "You forget the new interest which had come into her life. It was natural that she should be preoccupied."
"With thoughts of her little nephew?" replied Miss Graham. "True, true; but she had been so fond of Gwendolen! You would have thought—But why all this talk about Mrs. Carew? You don't believe—you surely can not believe—"
"That Mrs. Carew is a charming woman? Oh, yes, but I do. Mr. Rathbone shows good taste."
"Ah, is she the one?"
"Did you not know it?"
"No; yet I have seen them together many times. Now I understand much that has always been a mystery to me. He never pressed his suit; he loved, but never harassed her. Oh, he is a good man!" This with emphasis.
"Is she a good woman?"
Miss Graham's eyes suddenly fell, then rose again until they met mine fully and frankly.
"I have no reason," said she, "to believe her otherwise. I have never seen anything in her to hinder my esteem; only—"
"Finish that 'only.'"