"Where did you live in America ?" "At Tadmor, in the State of Illinois." "What sort of place is Tadmor ?" I described the place as well as I could, under the circumstances.
"What made you go to Tadmor ?" It was impossible to reply to this, without speaking of the Community.
Feeling that the subject was not in the least likely to interest her, I spoke as briefly as I could.

To my astonishment, I evidently began to interest her from that moment.

The series of questions went on--but now she not only listened, she was eager for the answers.
"Are there any women among you ?" "Nearly as many women as men." Another change! Over the weary misery of her eyes there flashed a bright look of interest which completely transformed them.

Her articulation even quickened when she put her next question.
"Are any of the women friendless creatures, who came to you from England ?" "Yes, some of them." I thought of Mellicent as I spoke.

Was this new interest that I had so innocently aroused, an interest in Mellicent?
Her next question only added to my perplexity.