"
I was already getting afraid of my guardian. But, from childhood, there
was a spice of fearlessness in my composition that manifested itself even
when I was most frightened. Again I glanced into his face--he was
regarding me with a peculiar intentness, as if I were some new plant
brought into the conservatory from an unknown region, and he was trying
to classify me. I could see no trace of warm, human interest in his gaze.
"That was a rather mutinous remark to bestow so soon upon your guardian,"
he said, in the same even voice.
"I am very sorry," I murmured, now thoroughly ashamed of myself.
"We will make a truce not again to discuss our acquaintances; but that
interesting subject eliminated from conversation, there would be a dearth
left with a goodly number of our species."
"I do not care for the tea parties here, Mr. Winthrop. I am not
interested in the things they talk about." I said, with a sudden burst of
confidence.
"You have broken our compact already. A woman cannot hold to a bargain, I
am informed."
"I had not promised," I said, proudly.
"Then I am to infer you are an exception, and would hold to your
promises, no matter how binding."
"I am the daughter of a man; possibly I may have inherited some noble,
manly properties." My temper was getting ruffled.
"Yes, Nature plays some curious freaks occasionally," he said in a
reflective way, as if we were discussing some scientific subject.
"You will please excuse me. Dinner will be announced shortly, and I must
remove my wraps," I said, very politely.
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