"If your father had done something shocking--forged--or murdered--or done something of that kind--supposing, of course, he were dead."
"Do you mean--if I suddenly found out?"
She nodded assent.
"Well!" he reflected; "it would be disagreeable!"
"Yes--but would it make you give up all the things you like?--golfing--and cards--and parties--and the girl you were engaged to--and take to slumming, and that kind of thing?"
The slight inflection of the last words drew smiles. Mr. Ferrier held up a finger.
"Miss Alicia, I shall lend you no more books."
"Why? Because I can't appreciate them?"
Mr. Ferrier laughed.
"I maintain that book is a book to melt the heart of a stone."