"I suppose it's all right," she said; "at least you can say so if he asks you.

It's only an explanation why he has transferred my money from the bank to Rothschild's agent years ago.

I don't see why it should interest me NOW." Paul made no doubt that it was the same transfer that had shipwrecked the colonel's fortune and alienated his friends, and could not help replying somewhat pointedly, "But I think it should, Miss Yerba.

I don't know what the colonel explained to you--doubtless, not the whole truth, for he is not a man to praise himself; but, the fact is, the bank was in difficulties at the time of that transfer, and, to make it, he sacrificed his personal fortune, and, I think, awakened some of that ill-feeling you have just noticed." He checked himself too late: he had again lost not only his tact and self-control, but had nearly betrayed himself.

He was surprised that the girl's justifiable ignorance should have irritated him.