He tried to be fair, and Michael was
perfectly conscious of the effort it cost him.
"I had noticed something of the sort," he said. "Your mother was always
asking after you. You have not been writing very regularly, Michael. We
know little about your life."
"I have written to my mother every week," said Michael.
The magical effects of the Emperor's interest were dying out. Lord
Ashbridge became more keenly aware of the disappointment that Michael
was to him.
"I have not been so fortunate, then," he said.
Michael remembered his mother's anxious face, but he could not let this
pass.
"No, sir," he said, "but you never answered any of my letters. I thought
it quite probable that it displeased you to hear from me."
"I should have expressed my displeasure if I had felt it," said his
father with all the pomposity that was natural to him.
"That had not occurred to me," said Michael. "I am afraid I took your
silence to mean that my letters didn't interest you."
He paused a moment, and his rebellion against the whole of his father's
attitude flared up.
"Besides, I had nothing particular to say," he said. "My life is passed
in the pursuit of which you entirely disapprove.
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