Yes." "That is very strange," she said thoughtfully.

"Blenavon is not as a rule needlessly communicative, and at present it is almost a secret." "Nevertheless," I said, turning slowly towards her, "I presume that it is true." "It is perfectly true," she answered.
There was silence between us for several minutes.

One of the footmen came softly in to see whether we required a marker, and finding us talking, withdrew.

I was determined that the onus of further speech should remain with her.
"You are surprised ?" she asked at last.
"Very." "And why ?" "I scarcely know," I answered, "except that I have never associated the thought of marriage with Colonel Ray, and he is very much older than you." "Yes, he is a great deal older," she answered.

"I think that his history has been rather a sad one.