"'I want to speak to you, Dr. Laurier,' she said in a low voice.
"I managed to drop behind in order to give her an opportunity.
"'I know what you have come about,' she said. 'What do you think of my uncle's case?'
"'I am not prepared to hazard an opinion,' I replied.
"'Well, please listen to something I have got to say. Jasper Bagwell has his own reasons for what he tells you. You do very wrong to listen to him. Uncle Edward is queer, I grant, with regard to the idol Siva, that is because he is in reality a Brahmin; but if you sign a certificate to the effect that he is mad, you will be making a very terrible mistake.'
"As she spoke her lips trembled, and tears filled her eyes.
"'I am terribly unhappy about it all,' she continued.
"I looked at her earnestly, then I said in a low voice:
"'Forgive me if I reply to you as plainly as you have just spoken to me. You arouse my surprise when you speak as you do of Mr. Bagwell. Is it not the case that you are engaged to marry him?'