The look of health and carelessness at once returned to her cheek and eye. "Does that matter?" she asked. "Living in an isolated place as we do, it is desirable to cultivate friendly relations with one's kind."
It now occurred to him for the first time that for some reason she might be willing to marry below her station. The pathos of her youthful loneliness, even with that additional haunting distress of which he had evidence, lent color to the new idea.
"Godson is a very fine young fellow; if he can obtain education he will be most intelligent. He is manly and handsome——"
"But?" she asked.
"I am perhaps turning busybody in my old age. I thought I saw a difficulty like a snake in your path. If I was mistaken, forgive."
"What sort of venom did you fear?"
"Presumptuous love."
She stood for half a minute, her face blank with astonishment; then her cheeks flamed; but immediately the look of vital interest died out.
"Truly, I never thought of that." She bit her lip in meditation.