“Do you not think duty the highest possible reason?” he asked, resolving to keep silence.
Mrs. Echalaz looked at him.
“I think I could tell you a nearer one,” she said, with a gentle pressure of her hand on his, that told him she read his very heart; and then she added, with grave kindness, “Then I suppose we must let duty carry the day. We shall miss you dreadfully.”
Macpherson raised her hand with reverent affection to his lips, but he could not say a word.
When the rest came home from their walk he was gone.
Privately Mrs. Echalaz told Robert what had passed, and what she construed it to mean.
“Well, why not?” was his comment.
“Why not!” echoed his mother, raising hands and eyes. “Of course I like him. I never met a man to whom I would sooner have trusted Lily’s happiness, but of course it’s impossible.”
“Why?” asked Robert, simply.
“My dear boy!” exclaimed Mrs. Echalaz, “you know he has nothing. And think of the connection! Preposterous!”