There was an angry look about his brow, for he had been trying to teach himself that he was ill-used by his niece, in spite of that half-formed resolution to release her from persecution if she were still firm in her opposition to the marriage.

'Well,' he said, as soon as he saw her,--'well, how is it to be ?' She got off her stool, and coming close to him put up her face to be kissed.

He understood it all in a moment, and the whole tone and colour of his countenance was altered.

There was no man whose face would become more radiant with satisfaction than that of Michel Voss--when he was satisfied.

Please him--and immediately there would be an effort on his part to please everybody around him.
'My darling, my own one,' he said, 'it is all right.' She kissed him again and pressed his arm, but said not a word.