“Nothing, papa,” wildly.
“Then prepare yourself for a great shock, Viola, for surely you can not be as heartless as the world believes you.”
“Oh, no, papa!” she cried, eagerly, wondering if he had found out her secret engagement to Florian, and was going to scold her for it.
It was something like that, she discovered the next moment, for he added:
“You were at Mrs. Dean’s reception last night, and a young government clerk, George Merrington, proposed to you.”
Viola’s eyes dilated with wonder, but she answered, eagerly:
“Yes, papa, but—I refused him.”
To her amazement, he asked, angrily:
“What right had you, Viola, to refuse him?”
“Why, papa, what a question! I had a right because I did not love him!” cried Viola, gaining courage again.