Her eyes were riveted on her father's face.... She had certainly been his favourite daughter. Her marriage to De Staffelaer, his friend, a man much older than herself, had pleased him, because it flattered his ambition.... But then, then he fell ill; he died soon after, soon after the thing that happened: that and her marriage to Van der Welcke.... Oh God, was it she who had killed him?
She drew Dorine to her:
"Tell me, Dorine.... Was Papa ill for long?"
"Yes, Connie, very long."
They were silent. They thought of their father, of his ambition, of his longing for the greatness which he achieved; of his wish to see his children also great, high-placed and powerful....
"I say, Dorine, how strange it is ... that not one of Papa's sons ..."
"What do you mean, Connie?"
"Nothing.... I don't know...."
Papa had always helped Van Naghel.... Her thoughts ran on:
"Dorine, is Karel still a burgomaster?"