“Yes, to my surprise, she told me she had bequeathed to me ten thousand dollars.”
“Was not this a strange bequest to a casual acquaintance?”
“Oh, we were more than casual acquaintances. I have known Miss Carrington for two or three months.”
“Which? two or three?”
“Perhaps nearer two,” and the Count showed a slight embarrassment.
“Do your friends often leave you large sums of money on such short acquaintance?”
“It has never happened before,” and now the Count’s dignity was touched and he spoke shortly and coolly.
“Then, of course, it struck you as peculiar,” and Stone’s smile assumed an acquiescence.
But the Count returned: “Not at all. Miss Carrington was an unusual woman, and I never expected her behavior to be entirely conventional. When she told me of this I was simply and honestly grateful, as I should have been to any one who showed me such a kindness.”
“You were glad to get the money, then?”