It seemed to Caius that
his confidential tone lapsed into one of suspicious reserve.
"Not very old"--dryly.
Caius perceived that he was being suspected of taking an undue interest
in the benefactress of the island. The idea, when it came from another,
surprised him.
"Look here! I don't take much interest in Madame Le Maitre, except that
she seems a saint and I'd like to please her; but what I want to know is
this--there is a girl who is a sister, or niece, or daughter, or some
other relation of hers, who is on these islands. Who is she, and where
is she?"
"Do you mean any of the girls she has in her house? She took them from
families upon the island only for the sake of training them."
"I don't mean any of those girls!"--this with emphasis.
"I don't know who you mean."
Caius turned and faced him. Do what he would, he could not hide his
excited interest.
"You surely must know. It is impossible that there should be a girl,
young, beautiful and refined, living somewhere about here, and you not
know."
"I should say so--quite impossible."
"Then, be kind enough to tell me who she is. I have an important reason
for asking."
"My dear boy, I would tell you with all the pleasure in the world if I
knew."
"I have seen her." Caius spoke in a solemn voice.
The priest looked at him with evident interest and curiosity.
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