“Not of your roof? Ah, well, let it be so,” replied Flood, taking his hat from the table.
Doctor Royal rose, trembling, to his feet.
“Under the circumstances I cannot permit you to come here again,” said he brokenly. “I shall send for my son, and I hope soon to know the whole truth. God help me, sir, my two children are all I have in this life; and my daughter—I do not speak in judgment—a man like you can have no place in her pure, young heart.”
Flood bowed with indescribable composure.
“Yet a man like me, Doctor Royal, may be capable of a great love, and possibly capable of great self-sacrifice. No more, sir. I bid you good day.”
“Stay!” pleaded the rector, deeply agitated. “There is still another reason why my daughter could not consider any proposal from you.”
“Another reason?”
“She is already engaged.”
“Engaged!” Flood echoed, starting slightly.
“It is not yet announced,” faltered the clergyman. “Had I known the nature and depth of your feelings, however, I would have told you earlier. But Mr. Kendall desired it kept quiet for a time, and——”