‘You spoke of a resemblance,’ said Sister Ursula. ‘What did you mean?’
Sutherland still kept his eyes upon the averted form of Jane Peartree, and saw that it trembled violently, as he replied:—
‘It is scarcely worth mentioning further, for such resemblances are common; but at the first glance, this lady seemed very like a person I once knew.’
To his intense surprise, Jane Peartree now turned her eyes and looked steadily up at him. Her face was white as death, but firm and resolved. Again the peculiar likeness struck him, and he gazed in wonder; but she bore his gaze steadily, as she asked, in a low deep tone, very unlike that of her usual voice—
‘Who is the person of whom you speak?’
‘A lady—a married lady.’
‘A friend of yours, sir?’
‘Scarcely that; one whom I met on several occasions, and whose character I greatly admired.’
‘Is she still living, sir?’
‘No, she is dead,’ answered Sutherland.