“O my poor boy!”
He made a gesture, indicating that this was not the time to discuss the economic situation, and Adelaide went smoothly on:
“And now, Mrs. Wayne, the point is this. I am considered harsh because I insist that a young man without an income who has just come near to running off with my child on money that was almost a bribe is not a person in whom I have unlimited confidence. I ask—it seems a tolerably mild request—that they do not see each other for six months.”
“I cannot agree to that,” said Wayne decidedly.
“Really, Mr. Wayne, do you feel yourself in a position to agree or disagree? We have never consented to your engagement. We have never thought the marriage a suitable one, have we, Papa?”
“No,” said Mr. Lanley in a tone strangely dead.
“Why is it not suitable?” asked Mrs. Wayne, as if she really hoped that an agreement might be reached by rational discussion.
“Why?” said Adelaide, and smiled. “Dear Mrs. Wayne, these things are rather difficult to explain. Wouldn’t it be easier for all of us if you would just accept the statement that we think so without trying to decide whether we are right or wrong?”
“I’m afraid it must be discussed,” answered Mrs. Wayne.
Adelaide leaned back, still with her faint smile, as if defying, though very politely, any one to discuss it with her.