He put the Cosmopolite down, wrinkling his brow in perplexity. "Squint like a bag of nails? You're quizzing me, Judith! What is the joke?"
"Have you forgotten my first meeting with you?"
"Good God, I never can have said such a thing of you! "
"Very nearly, I assure you! You came into the room where I was standing with your brother, and demanded: 'Where is the heiress? Does she squint like a bag of nails? Is she hideous?' They always are!"
He burst out laughing. "Did I indeed? No, I will admit that Miss Devenish doesn't squint like a bag of nails. She is a very pretty girl - but I wonder what troubles her?"
"Troubles her?" she repeated in accents of surprise. "Why, what should trouble her?"
"How should I know? I thought perhaps you might."
"No, indeed! You have certainly imagined it. She is reserved, I know, and I could wish that that were not so, but I believe it to be due to a shyness very understandable in a girl living in her circumstances. Do you find it objectionable?"
"Not in the least. I merely feel a little curiosity to know what causes it. There is a look in the eye - but you will say I am indulging my fancy!"
"But, Charles, what can you mean? There is a gravity, I own. I have found it particularly pleasing in this age of volatile young females."