“Or how anxious I have been to speak to you,” said I, “ever since the visitor was here to-day.”
“The visitor, my dear! Sir Leicester Dedlock?”
“Yes.”
He folded his arms and sat looking at me with an air of the profoundest astonishment, awaiting what I should say next. I did not know how to prepare him.
“Why, Esther,” said he, breaking into a smile, “our visitor and you are the two last persons on earth I should have thought of connecting together!”
“Oh, yes, guardian, I know it. And I too, but a little while ago.”
The smile passed from his face, and he became graver than before. He crossed to the door to see that it was shut (but I had seen to that) and resumed his seat before me.
“Guardian,” said I, “do you remember, when we were overtaken by the thunder-storm, Lady Dedlock’s speaking to you of her sister?”
“Of course. Of course I do.”
“And reminding you that she and her sister had differed, had gone their several ways?”