“Clithero?”
Hugh gave a visible start.
“Yes; the sister of the Clithero who is partner of the Pyms. Oh! it is hard upon a man, Hugh, left alone as I am, when his girls begin to have love affairs.”
“It is,” said Hugh. “But whatever I can do, dad, shall be done. You know that.”
The old man was touched. For a few moments he gazed steadily at the fire. Then he said:
“I do; and I feel sure that you will tell me if there is any truth in the shocking stories about those Pyms.”
“The Pyms! What have they got to do with it?”
“The man who wants to marry Daisy is a son of the head of the firm.”
“Not Captain Pym?”
Hugh spoke almost fiercely.