"Madam," said Walter, "you will please confine your remarks to me personally, and say nothing of my father."
"Well, then," returned the lady. "You, personally, are not a fit husband for Jessie."
"Have I ever asked to be her husband?" he said.
"Not in words, perhaps, but you show it in your manner both to me and others, and this is what brought me here. Jessie is young and easily influenced, and might possibly, in an unguarded moment, do as foolish a thing as your mother did."
There was a feeling of intense delight beaming in Walter's eyes, for the idea that Jessie could in any way be induced to marry him was a blissful one; but it quickly passed off as Mrs. Bartow continued:
"It would break her father's heart should she thus throw herself away, while you would prove yourself most ungrateful for all he has done for you."
This was touching Walter in a tender point, and the pride of his nature flashed in his dark eyes as he replied:
"Let me know Mr. Graham's wishes, and they shall be obeyed."
"Well, then," returned the lady, "I asked him if he would like to have his daughter marry you, and he replied—" she hesitated before uttering the falsehood, while Walter bent forward eagerly to listen. "He said he certainly would not, and with his approbation I came down to remove her from temptation."
Walter was very white, and something like a groan escaped him, for he felt that Jessie was indeed wrested from him, and he began to see that he had always cherished a secret hope of winning her some day. But the dream was over now. She, he knew, would never disobey her father, while he himself would not return the many kindnesses received from his benefactor with ingratitude.