She looked as white and rigid as a corpse twelve hours dead, and her large defiant eyes burned with a supernatural lustre.

He comprehended the nature with which he had to deal, and after a pause, said sullenly: 

“Minnie does not deserve such a child, and it is hard that you, my own flesh and blood, refuse to recognize me.  Regina, I am desperately poor, or I would take you now, forcibly if necessary; and if Minnie dared deny my claim, I would publish the facts in a court of justice.  Even your guardian is deceived, and many things would come to light, utterly disgraceful to you, and to your father and mother.  But at present I cannot take care of you, and I am in need, actual need.  Will my child see her own father want bread and clothing, and refuse to assist him?  Can you not contribute something toward my support, until I can collect some money due me?  If you can help me a little now, I will try to be patient, and leave you where you are, in luxury and peace; at least till I can hear from Minnie, to whom I have written.”

“Why do you not go at once to my guardian, and demand me?”

“If you wish it I will, before sunset.  Come, I am ready.  But when I do, the facts will be blazoned to the world, and you and Minnie and I shall all go down together in disgrace and ruin.  If you are willing to drag all the shameful history into the papers, I am ready now.”

He rose, but she shrank away, and putting her hand in her pocket, became aware of the loss of her purse.  Had she been robbed, or had she dropped her porte-monnaie in the carriage?

“I have not a cent with me.  I have lost my purse since I left home.”

She saw the gloomy scowl that lowered on his brow.  “When can you give me some money?  Mind, it must not be known that I am literally begging.  I am as proud, my daughter, as you are, and if people find out that I am getting alms from you, I shall explain that it is from my own child I receive aid.”

A feeble gleam of hope stole across her soul, and rapidly she reflected on the best method of escape.

“I have very little money, but to-morrow I will send you through the post office every cent I possess.  How shall I address it?”

He shook his head.

“That would not satisfy me.  I want to see you again, to look at your sweet face.  Do you think I do not love my child?  Meet me here this time to-morrow.”

Each word smote like pelting hailstones, and he saw all her loathing printed on her face.

“I have an engagement that may detain me beyond this hour; but if I live, I will be as punctual as circumstances permit.”

“If you tell Palma you have seen me, he must know everything, for Minnie has hired him to help her deceive you and the world, and all the while she has kept the truth from him.  Shrewd as he is, she has completely duped him.  If he learns you have been with me, I shall unmask everything; and when he washes his hands of you and your mother, I will take you where you shall never lay your eyes again on the two who have taught you to hate me—­Minnie and Palma.  My child, do you understand me?”