His wife could give but a dubious account of Stella's conduct.
"In short," said Mr.Wildmere, irritably, "she is dallying with both, and may lose both by her hesitating folly." His daughter's greeting was brief and formal.

A sort of matter-of-course kiss had been given, and then he had been left to eat his supper alone, since his wife could not just then be absent from her child.

At last he lounged out on the piazza, sat down before one of the parlor windows, glanced at the gay scene within, and smoked in silence.

Before the German began, Graydon passed him several times, regarding him curiously and with a growing sense of repulsion.

He disliked to think that the relation between this man and the girl he would marry was so close.
Before the evening was over, Mr.Wildmere saw that his daughter was in truth pursuing a difficult policy.