"Good-nature!" she murmured. A laugh that sounded almost like a sob escaped her. Silence followed, and Gualtier sat looking abstractedly at his sheet of music.
"How do you like the General?" he asked, abruptly.
"How could I help loving Miss Pomeroy's father?" replied Miss Krieff, with the old stealthy smile reappearing.
"Is he not just and honorable?"
"Both--more too--he is generous and tender. He is above all a fond father; so fond," she added, with something like a sneer, "that all his justice, his tenderness, and his generosity are exerted for the exclusive benefit of that darling child on whom he dotes. I assure you, you can have no idea how touching it is to see them together."
"Do you often feel this tenderness toward them?" asked Gualtier, turning his thin sallow face toward her.
"Always," said Miss Krieff, slowly. She rose from her chair, where she had taken her seat, and looked fixedly at him for some time without one word.
"You appear to be interested in this family," said she at length. Gualtier looked at her for a moment--then his eyes fell.
"How can I be otherwise than interested in one like you?" he murmured.
"The General befriended you. He found you in London, and offered you a large salary to teach his daughter."