“I took the liberty to ask,” said Bradley, after casting his eyes on the ground, “because he is capable of making any representation, in the swaggering levity of his insolence. I⁠—I hope you will not misunderstand me, sir. I⁠—I am much interested in this brother and sister, and the subject awakens very strong feelings within me. Very, very, strong feelings.” With a shaking hand, Bradley took out his handkerchief and wiped his brow.

The Secretary thought, as he glanced at the schoolmaster’s face, that he had opened a channel here indeed, and that it was an unexpectedly dark and deep and stormy one, and difficult to sound. All at once, in the midst of his turbulent emotions, Bradley stopped and seemed to challenge his look. Much as though he suddenly asked him, “What do you see in me?”