"Born out of wedlock!—But my father only ran away—you told me he was dead."
"Regard him so, Don."
"Where is he—who was he? Why did that man tell me to fight them all?"
"I will never tell you, Don, never."
Her dark eyes were turned upon him now, eyes unspeakably sad.
"But you must! You wouldn't deny me my own chance in the world?"
"You will have to make your own chance, Don, as I did. We all must. I have my secret. The door is closed. There is no power ever can open that door—not even my love for you, my boy. Besides, the knowledge could be of no use to you."
"Yes? Is that indeed so? You would debar me from the one great right of all my life? Tell me, is my guess right? I'll make that man marry you."
"Ah, you mean revenge?"
He nodded, savagely, his jaws shut tight. But his brow grew troubled. "But not if he came out and stood by me and you, even this late. I suppose——"