Hildegarde looked back into those sympathetic eyes, and spoke honestly. “I—don’t know,” she said.
Mrs. Waite nodded. “No one knows you have carried her away?” she asked Potter.
“No,” he said. “Nobody in the house, anyhow.”
“That is good. Perhaps she can get back as unseen as she came. Because, son, you must take her home again....” She held up her hand as he would have protested with heat. “Listen, children.... I will welcome you as a daughter, Garde,” she said, simply. “You will be very dear to me—if you really want to be my daughter when you have had time to consider.... But you haven’t. You’re marrying Potter because there seems to be no other way out of it.... That is bad, for him and for you.... I hope you can come to love him as he loves you. But whether you love him or not, most of all if you do love him, you must go home. It never does to start wrong; you must start clean.... Let us consider. I’m sure you wouldn’t marry Potter until you know whether you love him.”
“I’d do anything to get away from my father,” Hildegarde said, passionately.
“Potter,” said his mother, “you’ve been a wild boy, but you’ve always been honest with me—and tender with me.... For all that has been said about you, I’ve never heard any one say that you didn’t play fair. People have always said that Potter Waite wasn’t the man to cheat or to take advantage.... You’re not being a good sportsman now. You’re cheating—cheating Garde, cheating yourself, cheating Mr. von Essen.... If you married Garde in this way it would be a story to follow her for years. It would be twisted, falsely told, garbled. You would both know bitter regret over it. And it isn’t necessary.... Hildegarde wants to leave her home. Well, let her leave it without the breath of scandal following. It will mean only a little patience, only a little waiting.... Take her home, son; then go to-morrow to Mr. von Essen, and ask his permission for your marriage.”
“He would refuse,” said Potter.
“If he does,” said Mrs. Waite, firmly, “you may bring Garde back to me whenever you are ready.... He must be given the chance.... But most important of all, son, Garde must be given time to know her mind. To-night she doesn’t love you. She has been honest enough to say so.... I know that hurts, son.... If she doesn’t love you, you must give her a fair chance for happiness—you must win her.... You’re not being a sportsman, son.”
“But, mother—”
“Would you marry a girl who doesn’t love you?”