“He’s dead. Oh, he knew I had suffered, he wearied of me, and now he’s dead and I’m all alone. Oh, don’t you understand?� she held out both hands toward him, “don’t you know why I came?�
The old man shook his head sadly. “God knows,� he said.
“I want Diana!� she cried, “I want my daughter—I want her love!�
Dr. Cheyney looked at her thoughtfully. “She’s twenty-three, Letty,� he said simply, “and she loves her father.�
She winced, turning her eyes from his to the fire. “I have seen her,� she said, in subdued tones, “once or twice when she did not know it. She looks—don’t you think she looks as I did?� she added eagerly.
“No,� he said sternly, “no, she’s like David’s mother.�
She flushed angrily. “Oh, never!� she exclaimed. “She is like me—but you won’t admit it.�
Dr. Cheyney shook his head.
Disappointed, she dropped her chin into her hand and looked again into the fire. “David has lost everything,� she said after a moment. “I know, I heard in New York.�
Dr. Cheyney, looking down at her, wondered what her secret thought was, how far remorse had touched her? “I’m afraid he’s badly hit,� he admitted slowly.