His defense was very quiet, very stubborn. He told me no more than suited him. But I was entitled to lay hold of the two grounds of objection which he had advanced; the arrangement was distasteful to him—and not at all to his son's interest.
"I thank you for your candor in putting me in possession of your views. Miss Driver would wish me to be equally frank with you. She has anticipated your objections."
"She could hardly do otherwise," he remarked, smiling faintly.
"As regards the first, her position is that this girl can't be held responsible for anything in the past. She, at least, is blameless."
"I occupy the position of my parents—and bear their burdens, Mr. Austin. So do you of yours. It's the way of the world, I'm afraid, and Miss Driver can't alter it."
"She regards this sentimental objection——"
"You would apply that term to my objection to allying my family with the late Mr. Octon's?"
I was not quite sure of my epithet myself. "I didn't say your objection wasn't natural."
"Perhaps you might go so far as to admit that it is inevitable? I on my part will admit that the girl herself appears to be unexceptionable. Indeed, I liked her very much, when I met her at our friend Alison's. That, however, doesn't in my view alter the case."
"I understand. Will you permit me to pass to the other point you mentioned—that of your son's interest?"