"
Mrs. Montgomery evidently took the situation very seriously; she was
in a state of extreme moral concentration. She kept her pretty eyes,
which were illumined by a sort of brilliant modesty, attached to his
own countenance, and evidently paid the most earnest attention to
each of his words. Her expression indicated that she thought his
idea of coming to see her a very superior conception, but that she
was really afraid to have opinions on strange subjects.
"I am extremely glad to see you," she said, in a tone which seemed to
admit, at the same time, that this had nothing to do with the
question.
The Doctor took advantage of this admission. "I didn't come to see
you for your pleasure; I came to make you say disagreeable things--
and you can't like that. What sort of a gentleman is your brother?"
Mrs. Montgomery's illuminated gaze grew vague, and began to wander.
She smiled a little, and for some time made no answer, so that the
Doctor at last became impatient. And her answer, when it came, was
not satisfactory. "It is difficult to talk about one's brother."
"Not when one is fond of him, and when one has plenty of good to
say."
"Yes, even then, when a good deal depends on it," said Mrs.
Montgomery.
"Nothing depends on it, for you."
"I mean for--for--" and she hesitated.
"For your brother himself. I see!"
"I mean for Miss Sloper," said Mrs. Montgomery.
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