"On the contrary, I think her so very exceptional as to be quite abnormal. Geniuses generally are."
"I don't know. For a woman to live absolutely alone, as she does, and thrive on it, and turn out the work she does—It's a pretty fair test of sanity."
"That she should have chosen to do so is itself abnormal."
"It's not a joyous or a desirable life for her, if that's what you mean," said Hugh.
But that was not what the Doctor meant, and he judged it discreet to drop the discussion at that point.
And, as for several weeks he saw and heard no more of Miss Holland, he judged that Hugh had begun to think, and that he had thought better of it.
For the Doctor knew what he was talking about. When a Brodrick meant to marry, he did not lose his head about a woman, he married sanely, soberly and decorously, for the sake of children. It was so that their father had married. It was so that John—well, John had been a little unfortunate. It was so that he, the Doctor——
He stopped short in his reflections, remembering how it was that he had remained unmarried. Like every other Brodrick he had reserved for himself the privilege of the unexpected line.