I want to ask you a favour, Ursula.' And then I knew that all my coaxing had been in vain, and that he did not mean to tell me what troubled him and made him look so pinched and worn.
But, in spite of this preface, he kept me waiting for a long time, while he sat silently looking into the fire and stroking his brown beard.
'Ursula,' he began at last, still gazing into the red cavern of coals, as though he saw visions there, 'I want you and Miss Hamilton to be great friends.

I am sure that she has taken to you, and she likes few people, and it will be very good for her to be with you.' Max's speech took me somewhat by surprise.

I had not expected him to mention Miss Hamilton's name.
'She is not happy,' he went on, 'and she is more lonely than other girls of her age.

Miss Elizabeth is a nice bright little thing, but, as Lawrence says, she wants ballast; she is a child compared to Gladys,--Miss Hamilton, I mean.' And here Max stammered a little nervously.
'No, you are right, she is not happy,' I returned quietly; 'she gives me the impression that she has known some great trouble.' 'Every one has his troubles,' he replied evasively.

'Most people indulge in the luxury of a private skeleton.