When Sidney paid his next visit Jane was alone in the new
sitting-room; her grandfather said he did not feel well enough to
come down this evening. It was the first time that Kirkwood had seen
the new room. After making his inquiries about Michael he surveyed
the arrangements, which were as simple as they could be, and spoke a
few words regarding the comfort Jane would find in them. He had his
hand on a chair, but did not sit down, nor lay aside his hat. Jane
suffered from a constraint which she had never before felt in his
presence.
'You know what grandfather has been telling me?' she said at length,
regarding him with grave eyes.
'Yes. He told me of his intention.'
'I asked him if I might speak to you about it. It was bard to
understand at first.'
'It would be, I've no doubt.'
Jane moved a little, took up some sewing, and seated herself. Sidney
let his hat drop on to the chair, but remained standing, his arms
resting on the back,
It's a very short time since I myself knew of it,' he continued.
'Till then, I as little imagined as you did that--' He paused,
then resumed more quickly, 'But it explains many things which I had
always understood in a simpler way.
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