At heart Liane had a strange pride, and she was bitterly ashamed of her low origin and her cruel grandmother, whom no one respected because of her vile temper.
To be told now that she had no lawful name, that her mother had been deceived and deserted, was like a sword thrust in the poor girl's heart.
She sobbed bitterly, as granny added:
"I didn't never mean to tell you the truth, but now that you are getting wild and willful, like your mother was, it's best for you to know it, and take her fate as a warning."
Liane knew the accusation was not true, but she did not contradict it; she only sobbed:
"Did my mother die of a broken heart?"
"No, indeed, the minx; she got well and ran away again, and left you on my hands."
"Is she living now?"
"She is, for all I know to the contrary. But she takes good care never to come near me, nor to send me a dollar for your support."
"I take care of myself, and you, too, granny."