She would not have sat in that way, pressing back her hair from her brow, with all the appearance of widowhood banished from her face, in the presence of any but a dear and close friend.

He did not think of this, but he felt that it was so, almost by instinct.

"I have such a tale to tell you," she said; "such a tale!" Why should she tell it to him?
Of course he asked himself this question.

Then he remembered that she had no brother--remembered also that her brother-in-law had deserted her, and he declared to himself that, if necessary, he would be her brother.

"I fear that you have not been happy," said he, "since I saw you last." "Happy!" she replied.