I read her meaning, where her language was ambiguous, in her sharp, leering eyes--full of significance--an expression of mysterious intelligence, which, mingled with a slight, sinister smile upon her lips, for a moment, brought a renewal of all my tortures and suspicions. She saw the annoyance which I felt, and strove to increase it. I know not--I will not repeat--the occasional innuendos which she allowed herself to utter in the brief space of a twenty minutes' interview. It is enough to say that nothing could be more evident than her desire to vex me with the worst pangs which a man can know, even though her success in the attempt was to be attained at the expense of her daughter's peace of mind and reputation. I do not believe that she ever hinted to another, what she clearly enough insinuated as a cause of fear to me. Her purpose was to goad me to madness, and in her witless malice, I do believe she was utterly unconscious of the evil that might accrue to the child of her own womb from her base and cruel suggestions. I wished to get from her these suggestions in a more distinct form. I wished at the same time, to deprive her of the pleasure of seeing that I understood her. I restrained myself accordingly, though the vulture was then again at my vitals. “What do you mean. Mrs. Delaney? Why is it a pity that I hadn't gone months ago?” “Oh! that's enough for me to know. I have my reasons.” “But, will you not suffer me to know them? I am conscious of no evil that has arisen from my not going sooner.” “Indeed! Well, if you are not, I can only say you're not so keen-sighted a lawyer as I thought you were. That's all.” “If you think I would have made out better, got more practice, and made more money in Alabama, that, I must tell you, has been long since my own opinion.” “No! I don't mean that--it has no regard to business and money-making--what I mean.” “Ah! what can it have regard to? You make me curious, Mrs. Delaney.” “Well, that may be; but I'm not going to satisfy your curiosity. I thought you had seen enough for yourself. I'm sure you're the only one that has not seen.” “Upon my soul, Mrs. Delaney, you are quite a mystery.” “Oh! am I?” “I can't dive into such depths. I'm ignorant.” “Tell those that know you no better. But you can't blind me. I know that you know--and more than that, I can guess what's carrying you to Alabama. It's not law business, I know that.” I was vexed enough, as may be supposed, at this malicious pertinacity, but I kept down my struggling gorge with a resolution which I had been compelled often enough to exercise before; and quietly ended the interview by taking my hat and departure, as I said:-- “You are certainly a very sagacious lady, Mrs. Delaney; but I must leave you, and wait your own time to make these mysterious revelations. My respects to Mr. Delaney. Good morning.”