With a more hasty enunciation than usual little Fyne was sure that I would not demand an apology for this irregularity if I knew what her real name was.

A sort of warmth crept into his deep tone.
"We have tried to befriend that girl in every way.

She is the daughter and only child of de Barral." Evidently he expected to produce a sensation; he kept his eyes fixed upon me prepared for some sign of it.

But I merely returned his intense, awaiting gaze.

For a time we stared at each other.