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Rh had become opulent and rare. He sought swiftly for some explanation of her purpose in this; but in his knowledge of his ward he found no clew to that or to the meaning of her present manner.

She controlled herself with difficulty to answer his greeting in a tone like his own; but now, as she advanced toward him, she was rather pale and her small hand clutched tightly about her the cloak that had slipped from her white shoulders.

"When my father found he had underrated—or overrated—a man's ability," she began evenly, "he told him so; it was the only kind of apology my father ever made."

Hereford smiled.

"I remember that as a characteristic of your father."

"It is also mine. I thought, Mr. Hereford,