He looked at her steadily, but made no reply.
"Why don't you answer me?" she resumed, springing up in her impatience
and taking a step toward him.
He still maintained the same steadfast, earnest look, which began to
grow embarrassing, for it emphasized the consciousness which she could
not stifle, that she alone was to blame.
She turned irritably away, and sat down on the opposite side of the
room.
"It's just part and parcel of your past folly," she began. "If I had
known he was here, and could have seen him or written to him--"
She still encountered the same searching eyes that appeared to be
looking into her very soul.
"Oh, well, if you have nothing to say--"
"I have a great deal to say," answered her father, quietly, "but you
are not ready to hear it yet."
"More lecturing and fault-finding," said Stella, sullenly.
"I have not lectured or found fault. I have warned you and tried to
make you see the truth and to help you."
"And with your usual success. When can we leave this house?"
"We _must_ leave it to-morrow. I will speak in kindness and truth when
you are ready to listen. I know the past; I have little left now but
memory."
He waited some moments, but there was no relenting on her part, and he
passed out.
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