At this point of the conversation Kate entered the room.
"Come hither, child," said her father; "do you love this Mr. Sumpter?"
"Why, no, father. I've never been able to conquer my aversion toward him, since he vilified Annie's character, and caused her flight," said she, wondering at her father's question.
"Then you do not wish to marry him?"
"Heavens! no."
"All right then. I'll see that you don't. Now run away, child."
"Dr. Prague, I'm astonished at you," exclaimed Mrs. Prague, in her most towering style, as the door closed after Kate, "thus to pamper to the follies of your offspring. Young people never know what is for their interest. They should be held in perfect subjection to their parents' wishes, and taught to obey their slightest commands."
"Very pretty, Mrs. Prague," remarked the doctor, carelessly, as his wife paused for breath.
Whether he alluded to her logic or her face, we cannot say.
"Had Sheldon been discreet and saved his fortune," she resumed, "he would have been the proper man for our Catherine."