The scientist was weak enough to accept the gambit offered by his adversary.
“You are doing the Duke an injustice,” he said. “As a matter of fact he called on me some time ago in London, and asked me for your hand.”
Hero opened her eyes. It was a shock, and it could not be a disagreeable one, to know that she had had such a suitor. In the light of this revelation the tale-bearer was less harshly judged.
“What did you say to him? Why didn’t you tell me?” she exclaimed.
“I declined his proposal on medical grounds,” her father answered. “The family stock is unsound.”
Hero began to see what she had to face, and her heart sank.
“I think you might have told me,” she said reproachfully.
“He came to ask my consent, not yours, and I told him I would not give it. There was no reason that I could see for telling you.”
Hero looked her father in the face.
“Suppose he had come to me first, and I had accepted him?” she said.