A Warning

"Yes."

"One of them only, need interest us at this moment, and that is purely
a personal one. You know, Zara, how I have always regarded you, and how
I do so now. Your father was my best friend; your mother--it is perhaps
unnecessary that I should be more explicit regarding her."

"Yes, Saberevski," said Zara in a low tone. "I know that you loved my
mother, and that all your life you have remained true to your adoration
of her, even though she never returned it; but go on."

"I love you, Zara, more perhaps than I admit to myself; more profoundly
than it would be wise for me to tell you, or agreeable for you to hear;
but in the admiration and esteem I feel for you, there is included no
sentiment which could offend you."

"I know that, my friend."

"I would like to talk with you quite openly for once, Zara, in order
that you may comprehend perfectly where I stand, and because I do not
wish you to misconstrue any assertion I shall make, or to attribute to
any one of them, another motive than I intend."

"I think you may be assured of that."

"You guessed correctly a moment ago, about my receiving intelligence
concerning your visit here, before the compositors set the type of the
announcement; but the intelligence was incorporated among other things
that were conveyed to me in the same manner, and by the same message.
It had no direct significance, and beyond the mere statement of the
fact, there was no comment. I was not directed to call upon you, and in
fact there was no suggestion made that bore directly upon your presence
here. But, Zara, the mere statement of your intention conveyed to me
very many suggestions which I have come here to-day to make known to
you. I believe it to be my clear duty to do so."