"After this unflattering declaration came a long pause. Mynheer van Kuylen sat at his easel, and attempted by the tenderest glazing to convey the smoothness of that skin, and the lustre of those moist eyes; the child had laid down her stocking, and was turning the pages of a picture-book, and by way of putting a good face on my embarrassment I lit a cigar.
"'You have no objection, Miss?' I enquired in my most ingratiating tones.
"She slightly nodded, and in so doing gave a sigh, and her delicate nostrils quivered.
"'May one venture to ask your name, Fräulein?' I resumed after a while.
"'My name is Katharine,' she replied in the same curt, out-spoken way. 'But all who know me call me Kate. As to my parent's name that would not interest you.'
"'Miss Kate,' I said, 'I notice from your manner of speech that you do not belong to Munich."
"'No.'
"'Your accent has something Rhinelandish about it.'
"'Very possibly.'
"'Have you any reasons for objecting to speak of your home?'