“John Baring,” said she.
“John Baring!” repeated Colonel Thomas. “Oh, my dear young lady! John Baring!”
“What did he do?” asked Elizabeth steadily.
“You’ve never heard anything about him?”
“Nothing. My mother was a quiet woman who spoke little about anything, but I am sure that she respected him and loved him. What did he do?”
“Oh, young lady, you have asked me a hard question. I have a friendly feeling for you, I—”
“That is the reason I came to you,” explained Elizabeth. “You looked at me in a friendly way.”
“You seem like a young person of excellent common sense and composure. Do you wish me to tell you the whole truth?”
“By all means!”
“Will you come into the house? We might be interrupted here.”