Ginevra knew from experience that the sight of tears would enrage him, and with all her might repressed those she felt beginning to rise.

She went up to him timidly, and took the hand that hung by his side.

He did not repel her--that is, he did not push her away, or even withdraw his hand, but he left it hanging lifeless, and returned with it no pressure upon hers--which was much worse.
"Is anything the matter, papa ?" she asked with trembling voice.
"I am not aware that I have been in the habit of communicating with you on the subject of my affairs," he answered; "nor am I likely to begin to do so, where my return after so long an absence seems to give so little satisfaction." "Oh, papa! I was frightened to see you looking so ill." "Such a remark upon my personal appearance is but a poor recognition of my labours for your benefit, I venture to think, Jenny," he said.
He was at the moment contemplating, as a necessity, the sale of every foot of the property her mother had brought him.

Nothing less would serve to keep up his credit, and gain time to disguise more than one failing scheme.

Everything had of late been going so badly, that he had lost a good deal of his confidence and self-satisfaction; but he had gained no humility instead.