“Yes,” he said, “I am a millionaire a good many times over, or I should not be of much account in New York.  But there, I have told you enough about myself.  I sent for you, as you know, because there are times when I feel a little lonely, and I thought that if my sister could spare one of her children, it would be a kindly act, and one which I might perhaps be able to repay.  Do you think that you would like to live here with me, Virginia, and be mistress of this house?”

She shrank a little away.  The prospect was not without its terrifying side.

“Why, I should love it,” she declared, “but I simply shouldn’t dare to think of it.  You don’t understand, I am afraid, the way we live down at Wellham Springs.  We have really no servants, and we do everything ourselves.  I couldn’t attempt to manage a house like this.”

He smiled at her kindly.

“Perhaps,” he said, “you would find it less difficult than you think.  There is a housekeeper already, who sees to all the practical part of it.  She only needs to have some one to whom she can refer now and then.  You would have nothing whatever to do with the managing of the servants, the commissariat, or anything of that sort.  Yours would be purely social duties.”

“I am afraid,” she answered, “that I should know even less about them.”

“Well,” he said, “I have some good friends who will give you hints.  You will find it very much easier than you imagine.  You have only to be natural, acquire the art of listening, and wear pretty gowns, and you will find it a simple matter to become quite a popular person.”

She nerved herself to ask him a question.  He looked so kind and good-natured that it did not seem possible that he would resent it.

“Uncle,” she said, “of course I am very glad to be here, and it all sounds very delightful.  But what about—­Stella?”

He leaned back in his chair.  There was a pained look in his face.  She was almost sorry that she had mentioned his daughter’s name.

“Perhaps,” he said, “it is as well that you should have asked me that question.  I have always been an indulgent father, as I think you will find me an indulgent uncle.  But there are certain things, certain offences I might say, for which I have no forgiveness.  Stella deceived me.  She made use of information, secret information which she acquired in this room, to benefit some man in whom she was interested.  She used my secrets to enrich this person.  She did this after I had warned her.  I never warn twice.”

“You mean that you sent her away?” she asked timidly.

“I mean that my doors are closed to her,” he answered gravely, “as they would be closed upon you if you behaved as Stella has behaved.  But, my dear child,” he added, smiling kindly at her, “I do not expect this from you.  I feel sure that what I have said will be sufficient.  If you will stay with me a little time, and take my daughter’s place, I think you will not find me very stern or very ungrateful.  Now I am going to ring for Mrs. Perrin, my housekeeper, and she will show you your room.  To-night you and I are going to dine quite alone, and we can talk again then.  By the by, do you really mean that you have never been to New York before?”