His words came out with a strong and vibrating emphasis. Laura confronted him with crimson cheeks.
"I think that will do, Mr. Helbeck!" she cried. "You have had your say.—Now just let me say this,—these people were my relations—I have no other kith and kin in the world."
He made a quick step forward as though in distress. But she put up her hand.
"I want very much to say this, please. I knew perfectly well when I came here that you couldn't like the Masons—for many reasons." Her voice broke again. "You never liked Augustina's marriage—you weren't likely to want to see anything of papa's people. I didn't ask you to see them. All my standards and theirs are different from yours. But I prefer theirs—not yours! I have nothing to do with yours. I was brought up—well, to hate yours—if one must tell the truth."
She paused, half suffocated, her chest heaving. Helbeck's glance enveloped her—took in the contrast between her violent words and the shrinking delicacy of her small form. A great melting stole over the man's dark face. But he spoke dryly enough.
"I imagine the standards of Protestants and Catholics are pretty much alike in matters of this kind. But don't let us waste time any more over what has already happened. I should like, I confess, to plead with you as to the future."
He looked at her kindly, even entreatingly. All through this scene she had been unwittingly, angrily conscious of his personal dignity and charm—a dignity that seemed to emerge in moments of heightened action or feeling, and to slip out of sight again under the absent hermit-manner of his ordinary life. She was smarting under his words—ready to concentrate a double passion of resentment upon them, as soon as she should be alone and free to recall them. And yet——
"As to the future," she said coldly. "That is simple enough as far as one person is concerned. Hubert Mason is going to Froswick immediately, into business."
"I am glad to hear it—it will be very much for his good."
He stopped a moment, searching for the word of persuasion and conciliation.