"Do you find Mr. Winthrop very amiable, in fact would you call him a
lady's man?"
I paused to think carefully what answer I should give. "If he were a
lady's man, probably before this he would have taken one for a wife."
"You have only answered half of my question," she said so gently I could
not resent it.
"My guardian is very patient and indulgent with me. If he were more so I
should find it hard to leave him some day."
"You mean when the day of marriage comes?"
"I have not thought anything of marriage yet. I mean, not seriously.
Every young girl has her dreams, I suppose; but mine as yet are very
vague and unreal. At twenty-one I am my own mistress. Then probably my
life of ease will come to an end."
"Ah, you have dreams of a career. From what my servants tell me I
concluded you were not one of our regulation, conventional young ladies."
My cheeks flushed; for this was a tender place for her to touch.
"Is Mr. Winthrop pleased that you are so thoughtful of the poor, and so
generous in your impulses?"
"Really, Mrs. Le Grande, you would make an excellent lawyer. I do not
think I have had so many personal questions since I came to America.
School girls forget themselves sometimes, when they are of a very
inquisitive disposition."
She looked me fully in the eyes as she said: "You have been wonderfully
patient and very circumspect. I am sure in his heart Mr. Winthrop
respects you even if he is at times a trifle cavalier in his behavior.
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