There was singular emphasis in her reply.
"I shall never complain to you, Mr. Palma."
"Because you think I would not 'Sympathize with you? I am not a man given to soft words, nor am I accustomed to deal with children, but indeed I should be annoyed if I thought you were unhappy here."
"Then you must not be annoyed at all."
His quick nervous laugh seemed to startle her unpleasantly, for she shrank closer to the balustrade.
"How partial you are, preferring Dr. Hargrove already, and flying into his arms at sight! Do you wish to make me jealous?"
His eyes gleamed mischievously, and he saw the blood rising in her white cheeks.
"Dr. Hargrove opened his arms to me, because he saw how miserable I was."
"If I should chance to open mine, do you think that by any accident you would rush into them?"
"You know you would never have dreamed of doing such a thing. Are you going away now?"