“Alas! who else would do it? But she dissembles, veiling her malignity under the most affected gentleness. In appearance she is all kindness to me. And my poor father becomes a willing instrument in her hands,—my poor father, formerly so kind, and so fond of me!”
She was deeply moved; and M. de Brevan saw the tears starting in her eyes. Quite frightened, he said,—
“Madam, for Heaven’s sake control yourself!”
And, anxious to turn Henrietta’s thoughts from her father, he asked,—
“How is Mrs. Brian to you?”
“She always takes sides against me.”
“Naturally. And Sir Thorn?”
“You wrote me that I should mistrust him particularly, and so I do; but, I must confess, he alone seems to be touched by my misfortunes.”
“Ah! that is the very reason why you ought to fear him.”
“How so?”