"I am afraid I offended the lady," he said.
"So much the more reason for your explaining yourself," she rejoined.

"If you will only satisfy _her,_ I might ask you to come and see us--I might even take the vase." With that strong hint, she actually gave him her hand at parting.

Her perfect self-possession, her easy familiarity with this stranger--so bold, and yet so innocent--petrified me.

"I shall send my friend to you this morning," she said imperiously, striking her cane on the turf.

"I insist on your telling her the whole truth." With that, she signed to him that he was to follow her no farther, and went her way back to the village.
Does it not surprise you, as it surprised me?
Instead of her blindness making her nervous in the presence of a man unknown to her, it appeared to have exactly the contrary effect.