Page:The Prime Minister by Hall Caine.djvu/177

Rh uncle's house is a centre of conspiracy in the interests of the enemy country, and that when you got there to-night a number of persons were already assembled. They had sent for you, hadn't they? [The girl does not answer.] They wanted your assistance, didn't they? [Still the girl does not answer.] What fresh crimes were they concocting? [The girl continues to stand silent.] Did it concern anybody in this house? [The girl struggles to control her agitation.] Did it concern—me? [The girl gasps, but is still silent.] Or was it my young daughter?  [In a panic] No, no, no!  [Catching at her eagerness.] Ah! So that's it, is it? And now I remember that when you came here first, you confessed that chief among your objects was that of kidnapping my child in order to punish me? Is that what you are asked to do now?  Oh no, no! How can you believe it?  Believe it? Aren't your countrymen doing as much every day? Worse—far worse! And now you—while my little daughter who loves you lies asleep upstairs—on Christmas Eve, too. . . [''He points to the Christmas tree. The girl covers her face and sobs.''] I don't mind saying this is a blow to me. When I first permitted you to remain here perhaps I was thinking less of showing mercy and forgiveness than of safeguarding the country until the suspicions