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 thinks he wishes to marry Judith; but I know my brother-in-law better than any of them, and I am not deceived" (nodding her pretty head with an air of superior wisdom). "If ever I have seen a man madly, wildly in love, it is he. This is all the more remarkable, because generally he is so cold and unmoved. Nicolas says it is nonsense,—that George cares for no one, unless it is Judith; but all the same, I know as well as if he had told me!"

"How very pleasant," I said musingly, "to have the family so interested and confidential about me and my affairs! Did Nicolas ask George if he was in love with me?"

Alice put on her most persuasive tone: "You must not be angry with me because I am interested in what concerns you. Who should be, my dear, if not your sister? Although we have been separated for so long, I love you as much as Grace does."

This touched me; and I responded, with a smile, "I am not angry; but neither do I see why you should think George cares particularly for me. There is surely nothing in his manner to indicate it."

My sister shook her head: "I believe you know it as well as I do. I have watched him, and I can see how a new light comes into his eyes every time they rest on you,—a light which I never saw there before in my life. I have noticed how he watches you stealthily, and how black his face is when, in talking with other men, you look up at them in a confiding way, as you have a habit of doing."