“Was there any necessity for Mr. Saltren to come to you in the music-room?”
“No necessity whatever. He came for the pleasure of talking to me, not even to turn over my music leaves.”
“You must not forget, my dear, who he is.”
“I do not, I assure you, papa, it is precisely that which makes me take such an interest in him.”
“Well, my dear, I am glad of that; but you must not allow him to forget what is due to you. It will not do for you to encourage him. He is only a mining captain’s son.”
“Papa,” said Arminell, slowly and emphatically, “I know very well whose son he is.”
“Of course you do; all I say is, do not forget it. He is a nice fellow, has plenty of brains, and knows his place.”
“Yes, papa,” said Arminell, “he knows his place, and he knows how equivocal that place is. He is regarded as one thing, and he is another.”
“I daresay I made a mistake in bringing him here so near to his father.”
“So very near to his father, and yet so separated from him.”