I saw it all then with a quick flash of intuition.

I had partly guessed it before, but now I was sure of it.
My poor Max, so brave and cheery and patient! But she should not torment him any longer in my presence.

If he had to suffer,--and the cause of that suffering was still a mystery to me,--she should not spy out his weakness.

He had turned his face aside with a quick look of pain as he spoke, and the next moment I had mounted the breach and was begging Miss Darrell to assist me in the case of a poor family,--old hospital acquaintances of mine, who were emigrating to New Zealand.
My importunity seemed to surprise her.

My sudden loquacity was an interruption; but I would not be repressed or silenced.