But Nino turned and looked at her, and his face was so triumphant that she got back her courage, and, clasping his hand, bravely awaited what was to come.
I went myself to the door, and heard Lira's slow tread on the stairs.
Before long he appeared, and glanced up at me from the steps, which he climbed, one at a time, with his stick.
"Is my daughter here ?" he asked, as soon as he reached me; and his voice sounded subdued, just as Nino's did when Benoni had gone, I conducted him into the room.

It was the strangest meeting.

The proud old man bowed stiffly to Hedwig, as though he had never before seen her.

They also bent their heads, and there was a silence as of death in the sunny room.
"My daughter," said Von Lira at last, and with evident effort, "I wish to have a word with you.

These two gentlemen--the younger of whom is now, as I understand it, your husband--may well hear what I wish to say." I moved a chair so that he might sit down, but he stood up to his full height, as though not deigning to be older than the rest.