Even from her voice alone--from the peculiar uncertainty of its
low, calm tones when she spoke--it was easy to conjecture that
she must have passed through sufferings, at some time of her
life, which had tried to the quick the noble nature that they
could not subdue.
Mr. Garthwaite and she met each other almost like brother and
sister; it was plain that the friendly intimacy between them had
been of very long duration. Our visit was a short one. The
conversation never advanced beyond the commonplace topics suited
to the occasion. It was, therefore, from what I saw, and not from
what I heard, that I was enabled to form my judgment of Miss
Welwyn. Deeply as she had interested me--far more deeply than I
at all know how to explain in fitting words--I cannot say that I
was unwilling to depart when we rose to take leave. Though
nothing could be more courteous and more kind than her manner
toward me during the whole interview, I could still perceive that
it cost her some effort to repress in my presence the shades of
sadness and reserve which seemed often ready to steal over her.
And I must confess that when I once or twice heard the half-sigh
stifled, and saw the momentary relapse into thoughtfulness
suddenly restrained, I felt an indefinable awkwardness in my
position which made me ill at ease; which set me doubting
whether, as a perfect stranger, I had done right in suffering
myself to be introduced where no new faces could awaken either
interest or curiosity; where no new sympathies could ever be
felt, no new friendships ever be formed.
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