So! everybody knew Susy's real relations to the Peytons, and everybody but Mrs.Peyton, perhaps, knew that she was secretly corresponding with some one of her own family.

In other circumstances he might have found some excuse for this assertion of her independence and love of her kindred, but in her attitude towards Mrs.
Peyton it seemed monstrous.

It appeared impossible that Mrs.Peyton should not have heard of it, or suspected the young girl's disaffection.
Perhaps she had,--it was another burden laid upon her shoulders,--but the proud woman had kept it to herself.

A film of moisture came across his eyes.

I fear he thought less of the suggestion of Susy's secret meeting with Pedro, or Incarnacion's implied suspicions that Pedro was concerned in Peyton's death, than of this sentimental possibility.