“No, I ask it.”
“Well, then, there is. A perfectly good reason why you can never marry him.”
“What is it?”
“I can't tell you. And, if I can't, no one else can. Respect him all you will for himself, but don't love him. I tell you this to spare you pain later. And, if you please, Jean,” he added more gently as his temper went down, “never let us speak of this painful subject again.”
“Very well, father,” she replied, calmly. “Oh, by the way, do you wish to see that woman? She leaves this afternoon.”
“No, I never want to see her again.”
“She said for me to tell you there was money in it this time,” added the girl, a slight note of contempt in her tone.
The factor hesitated.
“No,” he said finally; and, without another word, Jean left the room.