but now, like the Queen of Sheba, I must testify--'Behold, the half
was not told me.'"

He threw back his lion-like head, and laughed.

"That will do. Shake hands, child."

"No, thank you."

"And you will not sit down?"

"Frankly, I prefer not. I long to get away."

"You shall certainly be gratified, but there are a few things which
I intend you shall hear. Of course you know that your mother was my
only child, and an heiress; but you are ignorant probably of the
fact that when she returned to boarding school for the last session,
she was engaged in marriage to the son of my best friend--a man in
every respect desirable, and thoroughly acceptable to me."

"So my mother told me."

"Indeed? She should blush to remember it. While she wore his
engagement ring, she forgot her promise to him, her duty to me, her
lineage, her birth, her position--and was inveigled by a low
adventurer who--"

"Who was my own precious father--poor, but noble, and worthy of any
princess! Unless you can refer to him respectfully, name him not at
all, in his child's presence."