“Preposterous!” fumed Mrs. Burnham. “Why, the man’s under a cloud!”
“Exactly, mother; that is why I wish our engagement announced.” Evelyn stood proudly erect. “Shall you make the announcement or I, Mother?”
“René,” she blushed hotly, “René loves me.”
Mrs. Burnham stared at her in blank astonishment. “Have you taken leave of your senses?” she demanded. “Sit down here, Evelyn, and let us discuss this matter rationally.”
“Thanks, Mother, but I prefer to stand. I—I will not keep you long; in fact,” her smile was very winning, “I but wait your answer.”
Mrs. Burnham sighed. “The perversity of life!” she exclaimed. “Why do you pick out the one man I could not welcome as a son-in-law?”
“But why can’t you welcome him?” asked Evelyn impetuously. “René is all that a man should be—tender, true, and brave. Look at the record he had made in that gallant army of France. You have every reason to be proud of René, mother. Why, then, are you so absurdly prejudiced against him? He has never done anything to you.”
“Not to me perhaps——” began Mrs. Burnham, but Evelyn gave her no time to finish.
“Is it fair to take Mr. Burnham’s opinion about René instead of mine?” she demanded hotly. “My word is just as good as his, if not——”