"Why, as to that," I answered, "I make it a general rule to avoid awkward subjects when I can, and never to ask questions that it will be difficult to answer."
"I should find not the least difficulty in answering either," said she.
"Besides," I continued, "it is no affair of mine, after all."
"Oh!" said she, turning away from me; and then, very slowly: "No, I suppose not."
"Certainly not," I added; "how should it be?"
"How indeed!" said she, over her shoulder. And then I saw that she was angry, and wondered.
"And yet," I went on, after a lapse of silence, "I think I could have answered both questions the moment I saw you at your casement."
"Oh!" said she—this time in a tone of surprise, and her anger all gone again, for I saw that she was smiling; and again I wondered.
"Yes," I nodded.
"Then," said she, seeing I was silent, "whom do you suppose me?"