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His face had suddenly
grown hard and expressionless.
"You are too kind," he said in his most chilling
manner. "If you had let me know that you
wanted to speak to me I would have called on
you."
Seeing that he evidently wished her at the end
of the earth, Gemma hastened to state her business.
He bowed again and placed a chair for her.
"The committee wished me to call upon you,"
she began, "because there has been a certain difference
of opinion about your pamphlet."
"So I expected." He smiled and sat down opposite
to her, drawing a large vase of chrysanthemums
between his face and the light.
"Most of the members agreed that, however
much they may admire the pamphlet as a literary
composition, they do not think that in its present
form it is quite suitable for publication. They fear
that the vehemence of its tone may give offence,
and alienate persons whose help and support are
valuable to the party."
He pulled a chrysanthemum from the vase and
began slowly plucking off one white petal after
another.


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