All the reasons that led her to this decision, I was not able to discover.

Her life at the Allen House had been quite secluded.

She had been courteous to all the people with whom she was brought into any degree of contact, and had reciprocated all friendly visits; but there was a certain distance between her and them, that it seemed impossible for either to pass over.

One of my inferences was, that, in removing from the retired old mansion, and taking a modern house, she would stand out more prominently before all eyes than was agreeable to her.

Be this as it may, she was in earnest about removing to Boston.
I happened to be present when the announcement of this purposed removal was made to Mr.Wallingford.He had called in, during one of my visits to Mrs.Montgomery, for the transaction of some business.
"To Boston ?" he said, in a tone of surprise, and, I thought, disappointment.