She gave a gasp of relief. It had been horrible to fancy for a moment that this man whom she despised in her heart could be her mother's betrayer.
"You have seen her picture before?" she repeated. "Where?"
"It depends on yourself whether I ever answer that question or not," he said.
"On me?" she asked, with some wonder.
"Yes," he replied; "for if I should answer that question it would involve a long story. Before I tell it to you I shall expect to receive a like confidence from you."
She shut her lips tightly over her little clenched teeth, and he saw the blue eyes flash mutinously.
"You refuse?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied, dauntlessly. "You have startled and surprised me and I know not how much you know of me and my past. But at least you will never learn more from me."
He could not forbear a glance of annoyance.