This uniform, dignified reserve, so different from the demeanor of most of the girls who worked for them, coupled with the manner of Perkins's interference for her, inspired in his mind a feeling of respect for the stranger, which became her protection from his impertinences.

On this occasion, he merely asked her how many she would have, and on receiving her answer, handed her the number of shirts she desired.
As she turned to go out, Mrs.Gaston, who had just entered, stood near, with her eyes fixed upon her.

She started as she looked into her face.

Indeed, both looked surprised, excited, then confused, and let their eyes fall to the floor.

They seemed for a moment to have identified each other, and then to have become instantly conscious that they were nothing but strangers--that such an identification was impossible.