“And yet you were in very close confabulation when I first observed you. It really looked to me like an interview between very intimate friends.”
“And yet, indeed, I never set eyes on that person in all my life before.”
“You never set eyes on him before?” repeated Norham Montrose, in astonishment.
“On my word, on my honor, on my soul, no!” replied Alma, with vehement earnestness.
“Who was he then?” inquired Norham Montrose, as the dark scowl of jealousy vanished from his brow.
Alma hesitated, reflected a moment, and then answered:
“He was an elderly gentleman, not familiar with this part of the country, I believe.”
“What was his name?”
“I did not ask his name, of course; and neither do I think that he told me; nay, indeed, I am sure that he did not.”
“Or if he did, you have forgotten it, perhaps. But what was he, then?”