"I asked you whether you will do as I would
have you do, and you make no reply. We two, Nina, must be one in all
things, or else we must be apart--in all things."
"I do not know what it is you wish of me," she said, trembling.
"I wish you to obey me."
"But suppose--"
"I know that you must trust me first before you can obey me."
"I do trust you. You know that I trust you."
"Then you should obey me."
"But not to suspect my own father!"
"I do not ask you to suspect him."
"But you suspect him?"
"Yes; I do. I am older than you, and know more of men and their ways
than you can do. I do suspect him. You must promise me that you will
search for this deed."
Again she paused, but after a moment or two a thought struck her, and
she replied eagerly, "Anton, I will tell you what I will do. I will ask
him openly. He and I have always been open to each other."
"If he is concealing it, do you think he will tell you?"
"Yes, he would tell me. But he is not concealing it."
"Will you look?"
"I cannot take his keys from him and open his box.
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