I have been a kind father; I think that on the whole I am a good-natured man, but there are things which I do not forgive, and which I should forgive my own flesh and blood less even than I should a stranger." The colour faded from her cheeks.
"It seems terrible," she murmured.
"As for the man," he continued, "he is my enemy, although it is only a matter of occasional chances which can make him in any way formidable.
We speak because we are enemies.

When you have had a little more experience, you will find that that is how the game is played here." She was silent for several minutes.

Her uncle turned his head, and immediately two _maitres d'hotel_ and several waiters came rushing up.
He gave a trivial order and dismissed them.

Then he looked across at his niece, whose appetite seemed suddenly to have failed her.
"Tell me," he said, "what is the matter with you, Virginia ?" "I am a little afraid of you," she answered frankly.

"I should be a little afraid of any one who could talk like that about his own child." He smiled softly.
"You have the quality," he said, "which I admire most in your sex, and find most seldom.