"As you have heard nothing of Mr. Carew, you are not aware that he is married?"
She gazed at me thoughtfully, and I fancy I detected a stirring of interest within her at this intelligence.
"Married!" she echoed calmly. "Lately?"
"No. More than twenty years ago. I do not know the exact year."
"Is his wife living?" she asked.
"Yes. She is with Mr. Carew at Rosemullion. Would you like to see her portrait?"
"Yes," she replied.
I had brought Mrs. Carew's portrait with me, and other things which I thought might be likely to help me in my interview with Mrs. Fortress. I handed her the picture.
"A beautiful lady," she said, handing it back to me.
"Better than beautiful," I said. "An angel of goodness and charity, beloved by all who have the privilege of knowing her."