A few moments passed--and then the handle of the drawing-room door was timidly turned by an evidently faltering and unpracticed hand.
Nina called out impatiently--"Come in, baby! Do not be afraid--come in!" With that the door slowly opened and my little daughter entered.
Though I had been so short a time absent from her it was easy to see the child had changed very much.

Her face looked pinched and woe-begone, its expression was one of fear and distrust.

The laughter had faded out of her young eyes, and was replaced by a serious look of pained resignation that was pitiful to see in one of her tender years.
Her mouth drooped plaintively at the corners--her whole demeanor had an appealing anxiety in it that spoke plainly to my soul and enlightened me as to the way she had evidently been forgotten and neglected.

She approached us hesitatingly, but stopped half-way and looked doubtfully at Ferrari.

He met her alarmed gaze with a mocking smile.
"Come along, Stella!" he said.