“He is full of compassion, and gracious. He knows our strength, and will not test it beyond the limits of endurance.”
“Doctor,” she said, a light coming into her face, “I have much to say to you, but not now. I think you can understand me.”
I merely bowed.
“There is one thing,” she went on, “that I have liked in you from the beginning. I am to you a total stranger, and my presence in this house is a fact that must awaken many questions in your mind. Yet you have shown no restless curiosity, have plied me with no leading questions, have left me free to speak, or keep silence. There is a manly courtesy about this that accords with my feelings.”
I bowed again, but did not venture upon mere words of compliment.
“I am not sure,” said she, “that my name even is known to you.”
“It is not,” I answered. “You have seemed to avoid any allusion thereto, and delicacy forbade my asking.”
“There has been no purposed concealment. My name is Montgomery; and I am sister to the late Captain Allen.”
“I had already inferred this relationship.” The remark evidently surprised her.
“On what ground could you base such an inference?” she asked, curiously.