She had the feeling somehow that things had been happening in that little room, of which she and Phineas Duge were now the only occupants.
"Virginia!" She turned her head suddenly.

Her uncle was looking at her.

His eyes had lost their far-away gleam, and were fixed upon hers, cold and expressionless.
"Yes, uncle!" she said.
"I want to talk to you for a few moments," he said.

"Listen, and don't interrupt." She leaned a little toward him in an attitude of attention.

The words seemed to frame themselves slowly upon his lips.
"You have been wondering, I suppose, like all the rest of the world," he began, "why I sent for you here.