The mask he was wearing had not deceived her, and she would have liked him far better without it.

This she said to Alice, adding gently: "He may be all he seems, but I doubt it.

I distrust him greatly.
I think he fancies you and loves your money." "Oh, mother," and in Alice's voice there was a sound of tears, "you do him injustice, and he has been so kind to us, while Snowdon is so much pleasanter since he came." "Are you engaged to him ?" was Mrs.Johnson's next question.
"No," and Alice looked up wonderingly.

"I do not believe I like him well enough for that." Alice Johnson was wholly ingenuous and would not for the world have concealed a thing from her mother, and very frankly she continued: "I like Dr.Richards better than any gentleman I have ever met.

I should have told you, mother." "God bless my darling, and keep her as innocent as now," Mrs.Johnson murmured.