he left me in Paris, — and how much pleasanter than anybody
else! — more pleasant than ever, it seems, to me, but that is
because I have not seen him in so long; he only wanted one
thing. That same grave eye — but quieter, isn't it than it
used to be? — I think so — (It's the best store in town, I
think, Mrs. Thorn, by far — yes, Ma'am —). Those eyes are
certainly the finest I ever saw. How I have seen him stand and
look just so when he was talking to his workmen — without that
air of consciousness that all these people have, comparatively
— what a difference! (I know very little about it, Ma'am; — I
am not learned in laces — I never bought any —). I wish he
would look this way — I wonder if Mrs. Evelyn does not mean to
bring him to see me — she must remember; — now there is that
curious old smile and looking down! how much better I know
what it means than Mrs. Evelyn does! — (Yes, Ma'am, I
understand — I mean! — it is very convenient — I never go
anywhere else to get anything — at least, I should not if I
lived here —). She does not know whom she is talking to. She
is going to walk him off into the other room! How very much
more gracefully he does everything than anybody else — it
comes from that entire high-mindedness and frankness, I think
— not altogether, a fine person must aid the effect, and that
complete independence of other people — I wonder if Mrs.
Evelyn has forgotten my existence? — he has not, I am sure — I
think she is a little odd — (Yes, Ma'am, my face is flushed —
the room is very warm —.)"

"But the fire has gone down — it will be cooler now," said
Mrs. Thorn.