"Nothing can ever change my opinion on that point," said Leone.
"You think I was your enemy?" said the countess, blandly.
"The most cruel and the most relentless enemy any young girl could have," said Leone.
"I am sorry you think that," said my lady, kindly. "The more so as I find you so happy and so prosperous."
"You cannot answer for my happiness," said Leone, briefly.
"I acted for the best," said the countess, with more meekness than Leone had ever seen in her before.
"It was a miserable best," said Leone, her indignation fast rising, despite her self-control. "A wretched best, and the results have not been in any way so grand that you can boast of them."
"So far as you are concerned, Madame Vanira, I have nothing to repent of," said my lady.
Leone's dark eyes flashed fire.
"I am but one," she said, "your cruelty made two people miserable. What of your son? Have you made him so happy that you can come here and boast of what you have done?"