'You are as weak as water,' said the unhappy father.
'I am not weak in this.'
'Did you not say exactly the same about Lady Mabel?'
There was a pause, so that he was driven to reply. 'I found her as
I thought indifferent, and then,---I changed my mind.'
'Indifferent! What does she think about it now? Does she know of
this? How does it stand between you two at the present moment?'
'She knows that I am engaged to--Miss Boncassen.'
'Does she approve of it?'
'Why should I ask her? I have not asked her.'
'Then why did you tell her? She could not but have spoken her mind
when you told her. There must have been much between you when she
was talked of.'
The unfortunate young man was obliged to take some time before he
could answer this appeal. He had to own that his father had some
justice on his side, but at the same time he could reveal nothing
of Mabel's secret. 'I told her because we were friends. I did not
ask her approval; but she did not disapprove. She thought that your
son should not marry an American girl without a family.
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