The old man peered intently at his daughter, a full minute, then with a peculiar sinking at his heart, made shift to say:
"About Wally, yes; you simply don't understand. That's all. Listen now, Kate, and be reasonable."
"I will, daddy. Only don't ask me to marry a man I don't and can't love, ever, ever, so long as I live!"
"That isn't anything, my girl. Love isn't all."
"It is, to me! Without it, marriage is only—" She shuddered. "No, daddy; a thousand times better for me to be an old maid, and—and all that, than give myself to him!"
Flint set his teeth hard together.
"Kate," said he, his voice like wire, "now hear what I have to say! I want you fully to understand the character and desirability of Maxim Waldron!"
Then in a cold, analytic voice, carefully, point by point, he analyzed the suitor, told of his wealth and power, his connections and his prospects, his culture, travel, political influence and world-wide reputation.
"Furthermore," he added, while Kate listened with an expression as cold as her father's tone itself, "he is my partner. We are allied, in business. I hope we may be, too, in family. This man is one that any woman in the world might be proud to call her husband—proud, and glad! Love flies away, in a few brief months or years. Wealth and power and respect remain. And, with these, love too may come. Be strong, Kate! Be sensible! You are no child, but a grown woman. I shall not try to force you. All I want to do is show you your own best interest. Think this all over. Sleep on it. Tomorrow, let us talk of it again. For your own sake, and mine, do as you should, and let folly be averted. Renew the engagement. Hush the breath of gossip and scandal. Conform. Play the game! Do right—be strong!"
She only shook her head; and now he saw the glister of tear-drops in those beautiful gray eyes.