Later I spoke my half-formed doubt to Sarah, who answered:--
"I don't know what she is doing. I attend to my own business; that is,
unless I see profit in meddling elsewhere."
"Ah, but this is your business and mine if we love your sister, as you
will say when you learn the object of my visit," I answered, hoping to
loosen her cautious tongue.
Sarah's eyes opened wide with a question in them, but her lips remained
sealed, and I would not satisfy her curiosity, which I knew was at
boiling-point, until she had made a direct request. Her manner had
resolved my doubts into fears, so as she did not speak, I continued:--
"But you must be able to form an opinion as to what your sister is doing.
You are with her all the time, and every young girl instinctively knows
the symptoms of love, even though she may never have felt them."
"Not I!" she answered, with sharp emphasis.
"Oh, but you may suspect or surmise," I insisted.
"Suspect sometimes. Surmise never. Waste of energy," answered Sarah, who,
of all the persons I knew, had energy to spare.
"It would be a crime, a horrible crime," I continued, hoping in time to
extract her opinion, "if your beautiful sister were to throw herself away
on any man to be met hereabout."
"Horrible!" acquiesced Sarah, earnestly.
"Then why don't you watch her, and, if need be, prevent such a mistake?"
I suggested.
"Not necessary," answered Sarah.
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