"But why should he return to them? Young Worth is very talented and well educated. He works to enable him to study a profession. There is no reason on earth why he should not succeed. He looks like a gentleman, talks like a gentleman, and behaves like a gentleman! And there is nothing to prevent his becoming a gentleman."
"Oh, yes, there is, papa! Yes, there is!" exclaimed Claudia, with emotion.
"To what do you allude, my dear?"
"To his—low birth, papa!" exclaimed Claudia, with a gasp.
"His low birth? Claudia! do we live in a republic or not? If we do, what is the use of our free institutions, if a deserving young man is to be despised on account of his birth? Claudia, in the circle of my acquaintance there are at least half-a-dozen prosperous men who were the sons of poor but respectable parents."
"Yes! poor, but—respectable!" ejaculated Claudia, with exceeding bitterness.
"My daughter, what do you mean by that? Surely young Worth's family are honest people?" inquired the judge.
"Ishmael's parents were not respectable! his mother was never married! I heard this years ago, but did not believe it. I heard it confirmed to-day!" cried Claudia, with a gasp and a sob, as she sank back in her chair and covered her burning face with her hands.
The judge laid down his knife and fork and gazed at his daughter, muttering:
"That is unfortunate; very unfortunate! No, he will never get over that reproach; so far, you are right, Claudia."