I have noticed that; very gentle and gracious."
Gertrude reflected a moment. Then she took a great resolution.
"She wants him to marry me," she said. "So of course she is nice."
Felix's eyebrows rose higher than ever. "To marry you!
Ah, ah, this is interesting. And you think one must be very nice with a man to induce him to do that?"
Gertrude had turned a little pale, but she went on, "Mr. Brand wants it himself."
Felix folded his arms and stood looking at her. "I see--I see," he said quickly. "Why did you never tell me this before?"
"It is disagreeable to me to speak of it even now.
I wished simply to explain to you about Charlotte."
"You don't wish to marry Mr. Brand, then?"
"No," said Gertrude, gravely.
"And does your father wish it?"
"Very much."
"And you don't like him--you have refused him?"
"I don't wish to marry him."
"Your father and sister think you ought to, eh?"
"It is a long story," said Gertrude. "They think there are good reasons.
I can't explain it. They think I have obligations, and that I have encouraged him."
Felix smiled at her, as if she had been telling him an amusing story about some one else. "I can't tell you how this interests me," he said.