Where did she get that manner so imperial, she, born in a mountain cabin and bred on the wilds?
How could she speak with an accent so different from those about her?
The brother was not so, not so much so; the mother had been plain and quiet.
He had not known her father, for he had lately come to this State in hiding from another.

He wondered, with his wide knowledge of the world, over her wild, haughty beauty, and gloated over it.

He liked to think just what worth was within his easy grasp.

A prize for the taking, and here alone, unprotected.
"But it ain't good for you to be alone, you know, and I've come to protect you.

Besides, you need cheering up, little girl." He came closer.