it was an indescribable pleasure to me to see him, if but for an
instant, free from that shadowy something which dropped a vail of
mistrust between us. It seemed to show me that evil was not innate
in this man, and explained, if it did not justify, the weakness
which had made me more lenient to what was doubtful in his
appearance and character than I had been to that of his equally
courteous but less attractive brother.

The glances I allowed myself to cast in his direction were fleeting
enough, however. Even if womanly delicacy had not forbidden me to
look too often and too long that way, the sense of the unfair
advantage I was possibly taking of his weakness made the possibility
of encountering his waking eye a matter of some apprehension. I knew
that honor demanded I should rouse him, that he would not thank me
for letting him sleep after his brother had left the room; and yet,
whether from too much heart--he was in such sore need of rest--or
from too little conscience--I was in such sore need of knowledge--I
let him slumber on, and never made so much as a move after my first
startled discovery of his condition.

And so five minutes, ten minutes, went by, and, imperceptibly to
myself, the softening influence which his sleeping countenance
exerted upon me deepened and strengthened till I began to ask if I
had not given too much scope to my, imagination since I had been in
this house, and foolishly attributed a meaning to expressions and
events that in my calmer moments would show themselves to possess no
special significance.

The probability was that I had, and once allowing myself to admit
this idea, it is astonishing how rapidly it gained possession of my