“Spare me, I pray, a rigmarole which cannot affect me. Besides, I do not
blame you particularly. I know the heart of man too well not to be sure,
that, in acting thus, you have followed much less the inspirations of
your own heart than the suggestions made by my daughter.”
It might have been very dangerous for Henrietta to allow the count to
cherish such thoughts. Daniel, therefore, tried once more to explain.
“I assure you, count”--
But the count interrupted him fiercely, stamping with his foot.
“No more! I mean to make an end to this absurd opposition, and to break
it forever. Do they not know that I am master in my own house? and do
they propose to treat me like a servant, and to laugh at me, into the
bargain? I shall make you aware who is master.”