XVII
HOW THE PRINCE BECAME A MAN
Gordon found his erstwhile ward greatly improved by her recent life. She was brown, vigorous, healthy; her physical charms quickened his pulses.
"You must have a very good reason for coming to see me," she began. "I don't flatter myself that it is from affection."
"There you wrong me," he assured her, with the warm earnestness he so easily assumed. "I have always regarded you as a daughter."
"I have no faith in you."
"Exactly, and the knowledge distresses me. You and Gloria were a large part of my life; I can't bear to lose you. I hope—and I believe—that her regard for me has changed no more than mine for her. It remains for me to regain yours."
"That is impossible. You had the chance—"
"My dear, you can't know my reasons for acting as I did at Omar. But those reasons no longer exist."
"Just what—do you mean by that?" stammered Natalie.