Now you see exactly where I stand, and as far as I am
concerned you may speak without restraint."
"You are certainly very clear and explicit," she said, "and I shall be
glad to tell you about Sylvia."
XXV.
ABOUT SYLVIA.
"Before I begin," continued my companion, slanting her hat so as to
prevent the sun from meddling with the perfect tones of her complexion,
"tell me what you already know about this young lady. I do not wish to
waste any information."
"All I know," said I, "is that her family name is Raynor,--my
grandmother told me that,--that she is absolutely, utterly, and even
wickedly out of place in the House of Martha, and that I want her for my
wife."
"Very good," said my companion, with a smile. "Now I know what not to
tell you. I am very fond of Sylvia. In fact, I believe I love her better
than any other woman in the world"--
"So do I," I interrupted.
She laughed. "For a lover in check you are entirely too ready to move.
For years I have looked upon her as a younger sister, and there is no
good thing which I would not have lavished upon her had I been able, but
instead of that I did her an injury. At times I have thought it a
terrible injury."
"You mean," I asked, "that you have allowed her to enter the House of
Martha?"
"Your quickness is wonderful," she said, "but you do not put the case
quite correctly.
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