If there was any warm feeling below the unruffled surface of the girl's deliberate eyes while gazing on him, it was that he who had saved her brother must be nearly brother himself, yet was not quite, yet must be loved, yet not approached.

He was her brother's brother-in-arms, brother-in-heart, not hers, yet hers through her brother.

His French name rescued him from foreignness.

He spoke her language with a piquant accent, unlike the pitiable English.

Unlike them, he was gracious, and could be soft and quick.