He tried to be fair, and Michael was perfectly conscious of the effort it cost him.
"I had noticed something of the sort," he said.

"Your mother was always asking after you.

You have not been writing very regularly, Michael.

We know little about your life." "I have written to my mother every week," said Michael.
The magical effects of the Emperor's interest were dying out.

Lord Ashbridge became more keenly aware of the disappointment that Michael was to him.
"I have not been so fortunate, then," he said.
Michael remembered his mother's anxious face, but he could not let this pass.
"No, sir," he said, "but you never answered any of my letters.