Anger in her at such a time must have been as steel upon the flint of my own nature.

But against that incarnation of sorrow and sadness, my purpose, my strength of character were turned to water.

By similar means had she ever prevailed with my poor father.

And I had, too, the habit of obedience which is not so lightly broken as I had at first accounted possible.
Sullenly then I set down my sword upon a bench that stood against the wall, and my target with it.

As I turned aside to do so, her gloomy eyes were poised for an instant upon Falcone, who stood grim and silent.