"
I looked at her a moment; she met my eyes gravely, over the top of her
fan. "Are _you_ very careful?" I said.
She dropped her fan with a certain violence. "Ah, yes, you are
impertinent!"
"Ah no," I said. "Remember that I am old enough to be your father; that
I knew you when you were three years old. I may surely ask such
questions. But you are right; one must do your mother justice. She was
certainly thinking of her second marriage."
"You have not forgiven her that!" said the Countess, very gravely.
"Have you?" I asked, more lightly.
"I don't judge my mother. That is a mortal sin. My stepfather was very
kind to me."
"I remember him," I said; "I saw him a great many times--your mother
already received him."
My hostess sat with lowered eyes, saying nothing; but she presently
looked up.
"She was very unhappy with my father."
"That I can easily believe. And your stepfather--is he still living?"
"He died--before my mother."
"Did he fight any more duels?"
"He was killed in a duel," said the Countess, discreetly.
It seems almost monstrous, especially as I can give no reason for it--but
this announcement, instead of shocking me, caused me to feel a strange
exhilaration. Most assuredly, after all these years, I bear the poor man
no resentment.
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