There she stood within his chamber door! It was an unprecedented intrusion. There she stood in her rich evening dress of purple moire-antique, with the bandeau of diamonds encircling her night-black hair. Two crimson spots like the flush of hectic fever burned in her cheeks, and her eyes were unnaturally bright and wild, almost like those of insanity.
"Papa, may I come to you? Oh, papa, I have been waiting to speak to you all day; and it seems to me as if you had purposely kept out of my way. Are you displeased, papa? May I come to you now?"
He opened his arms, and she came and threw herself upon his bosom, sobbing as if her heart would break.
"What is the matter, my darling?"
"Are you displeased, papa?"
"No, no, my darling! Why should I be? How could I be so unreasonable? But—do you love him, Claudia?"
"He will be an earl, papa."
"Are you happy, Claudia?"
"I shall be a countess, papa!"
"But—are you happy, my dear, I ask you."