"What is your objection to Miss Stanton, father?" demanded Beverly in a somewhat excited manner.
"I have no objection to her, my boy," replied his father. Then, seeing that his son was terribly in earnest, he said in a more serious tone, "There is some question as to her father's social integrity."
"What has that to do with Miss Stanton?" asked Beverly.
"Nothing, my boy. And may I ask, what has the entire question to do with us?"
"I love her, father. I want to make her my wife."
Andrew Cruger put down the pen with which he was writing and looked at his son.
"That's very serious," he said, and walking over to the fireplace he leaned against the mantelpiece. "You are slated by the incoming administration for one of the under secretaryships of the German Legation. You are on the threshold of a great career. A marriage with Henry Stanton's daughter would not affect you at this stage, but when you rise to the dignity of ambassadorial honour, as in the course of events you logically will, your wife, my lad, must be beyond the breath of calumny. No scandal, no mystery must attach itself to her name."
"What's there against Miss Stanton, father? Won't you tell me?" asked Beverly.
"Nothing against her! Henry Stanton's early life is shrouded in mystery. He inherited his immense fortune from his uncle. Who her mother was, no one seems to know, and there lies the mystery. Mr. Stanton's immense works of charity have succeeded to some extent in getting him a foothold in New York, but the foundation of his social position is very insecure. I need scarcely tell you, Beverly, that although money is a lever that can do much to help a man along in society, it is almost utterly valueless in the diplomatic world. In that smallest of small worlds one's name, one's record, one's wife, one's family must be almost immaculate, subject to the most minute scrutiny. You are in the diplomatic world; your name will pass muster. But what of the woman you propose to make your wife?"
Beverly was silent. He had hitherto heard nothing against Henry Stanton, much less against his daughter.