Miss Guir did not laugh, nor seem in the least surprised. She only
drew a long breath and said:

"Very likely!"

"But why should he be?" persisted Henley.

"It does seem strange," said the girl, pathetically, "but many people
are."

"I am sure I should never be afraid of you," added Paul,
confidentially.

"I hope not; and am I anything like what you expected?" she asked
with languid interest.

"Well, hardly--at least, you are better than I expected--I mean that
you are better--looking, you know."

He laughed, but the girl was silent. There was nothing trivial in her
manner, and she drove on for some minutes, devoting herself to the
horse and a careful scrutiny of the road, whose shadows, ruts, and
stones required constant attention. Presently, in an open space,
bathed in a flood of moonlight, she turned toward him and said:

"I can not reciprocate, Mr. Henley, by saying that you are better
than I expected, for I expected a great deal; I also expected to like
you immensely."