Garrison knew nothing concerning the ownership of the house. Mr. Robinson's observation gave him a hint, however, that Dorothy's husband, or Dorothy herself, would presumably own this dwelling soon, but that something had occurred to delay the actual possession.
"I came to see Dorothy, and for no other purpose," he said. "I haven't the slightest desire or intention to offend her relatives."
If Robinson and his wife understood the hint that he would be pleased to see Dorothy alone, they failed to act upon it.
"We'll take your future operations as our guide," said Mr. Robinson significantly. "Protestations cost nothing."
Mrs. Robinson, far more shrewd than her husband, in her way, had begun to realize that Garrison was not a man either to be frightened or bullied.
"I'm sure we shall all be friends," she said. "What's the use of fighting? If, as Mr. Fairfax says, he did not marry Dorothy for money——"
Her husband interrupted. "I don't believe it! Will you tell me, Mr. Fairfax, that when you married my niece you were not aware of her prospects?"
"I knew absolutely nothing of her prospects," said Garrison, who thought he foresaw some money struggle impending. "She can tell you that up to the present moment I have never asked her a word concerning her financial status or future expectations."
"Why don't you tell us you never knew she had an uncle?" demanded
Robinson, with no abatement of acidity.
"As a matter of fact," replied Garrison, "I have never known the name of any of Dorothy's relations till to-night."