ItsuddenlyoccurredtoVictoria，inthelightofanewdiscovery，thatinthepastherfather\'sirritabilityhadnotextendedtoher。Andthisdiscovery，sheknew，oughttohavesomesignificance，butshefeltunaccountablyindifferenttoit。Mr。Flintwalkedtoawindowatthefarendoftheroomandflungapartthetightlyclosedcurtainsbeforeit。
“Inevercangetusedtothisnew-fangledwayofshuttingeverythinguptight，“hedeclared。“WhenIlivedinCentreStreet，Iusedtoreadwiththecurtainsupeverynight，andnobodyevershotme。“Hestoodlookingoutatthestarlightforawhile，andturnedandfacedheragain。
“Ihaven\'tseenmuchofyouthissummer，Victoria，“heremarked。
“I\'msorry，father。YouknowIalwaysliketowalkwithyoueverydayyouarehere。“Hehadarousedhersufficientlytohaveadistinctsensethatthiswasnotthetimetorefertothewarningshehadgivenhimthathewasworkingtoohard。Buthewasevidentlybentonputtingthisconstructiononheranswer。
“SeveraltimesIhaveaskedforyou，andyouhavebeenaway，“hesaid。