“Tell me something about him, dear. Do you remember him? Or did he die when you were quite a child?”
“I do not remember him,” answered Alice. “I do not know if I ever saw him.”
“Did your mother never tell you what he was like?”
“She told me once he was very handsome—the handsomest man she ever saw—but cruel—so cruel! she said.—I don't want to talk about him, please, ma'am!” concluded Alice, the tears running down her cheeks.
“I'm sorry, my dear, to hurt you, but I'm not doing it from curiosity. You have a look so like a man I once knew,—and your brother has something of the same!—that in fact I am bound to learn what I can about you.”
“What sort was the man we put you in mind of?” asked Alice, with a feeble attempt at a smile. “Not a very bad man, I hope!”
“Well, not very good—as you ask me.—He was what people call a gentleman!”
“Was that all?”
“What do you mean?”
“I thought he was a nobleman!”