But perhaps he was afraid of appearing brutal.

I am not far removed from the conviction that between the sincerities of his sister and of his dear nieces, Captain Anthony of the _Ferndale_ must have had his loneliness brought home to his bosom for the first time of his life, at an age, thirty-five or thereabouts, when one is mature enough to feel the pang of such a discovery.

Angry or simply sad but certainly disillusioned he wanders about and meets the girl one afternoon and under the sway of a strong feeling forgets his shyness.

This is no supposition.

It is a fact.