"Miss Dora," said he, "do you recall a conversation that I had with you one day? I mean about loneliness, and the longing one has for companionship?"
"Oh, yes," said she, frankly, "why? Do you wish to continue it now?"
"If you please. You remember you said you would be better able to do so after your sister's marriage."
"Because I thought that I would miss her so much and be lonely myself, was not that it? Well, of course I have missed Queen very much, but I have scarcely been lonely. You have taken care of that, and I am sure that I am very grateful to you. You have been very nice to me."
"You think so? You admit that?" He spoke eagerly.
"Why, yes! Why not, since it is true?"
"Of course, but then you know so many young ladies hide their feelings. I mean suppression of all emotion is considered so necessary in a woman in these days."
"Suppression!" and she laughed heartily. "Now do you think that I could ever be suppressed?"
"No, indeed, and certainly I hope that you never will be. But if you have not been lonely, perhaps you have thought some of that other subject, love, I mean."
"Oh! That!"