How could you not be, my child?
I am very lonely.

Your mother has been dead nearly eighteen years, and Rodrigo--" He stopped short suddenly, for he had never spoken his son's name in the girl's hearing since Rodrigo had left him to follow his own fortunes.
"I think Rodrigo broke my heart," said the old man, after a short pause, controlling his voice so that it sounded dry and indifferent.

"And if there is anything left of it, you will break the rest." He rose, taking his hand from hers, and turning away, with the roughness of a strong, hard man, who has broken down once under great emotion and is capable of any harshness in his fear of yielding to it again.

Dolores started slightly and drew back.

In her the kindly impression was still strong, but his tone and manner wounded her.
"You are wrong," she said earnestly.