Page:The Unspeakable Gentleman (IA unspeakablegent00marq).pdf/274

 How can I see you go and be glad? How can I be glad you love my father?"

"Mon Dieu!" she exclaimed suddenly startled, "Your father! I care for your father!"

I bowed in quick contrition.

"Mademoiselle," I said, "I fear I have been very rude, and, as usual, very gauche. I beg you to forgive me."

"But I tell you," she cried, "I do not love him!"

I bowed again in silence.

"You do not believe me?"

"Mademoiselle may rest assured," I replied gently, "that I understand—perfectly."

"You!" I started at her sudden vexation, started to find that her eyes were filled with tears.

"You understand quite nothing! Never have I seen anyone so cruel, so stupid!"

"Mademoiselle," I said, "I have been awkward, but forgive me—the cabin of the Sea Tern, where you asked him to sail on, and when you bade him recall what he said on the stairs at Blanzy. . . Your pardon! I have been very blunt."

And now she was regarding me with blank astonishment.