"Not quite. As a last resource, Lord Storndale consulted me, and entrusted me with a painful task. He requested me to call upon you, and represent the matter in the plainest terms, which I have endeavoured to do, omitting or concealing no single incident of the unhappy affair. I am deputed to ask you to take a course with your daughter similar to that he has taken with his son--that is, to absolutely forbid the union. The young gentleman is in a state of extreme pecuniary embarrassment, and it is possible--I do not state it as a fact, but merely as a presumption--that he reckons upon your aid to settle with his creditors. When he finds that this aid will not be forthcoming, and that he cannot depend upon your making a suitable settlement upon your daughter, he is not unlikely, for prudential reasons, to beat a retreat." "What is the inference you wish me to draw from this expression of opinion?" "That Mr. Storndale is following your daughter for your money." "And that he has no love for her?" The lawyer shrugged his shoulders. The interview was taking a turn not exactly pleasing to him. "You are not flattering the young gentleman," Aaron said. "I had no intention of doing so. Of course, it is for you to consider the matter from your own point of view. First, as a father----" He paused. "Yes, first as a father," repeated Aaron. "Next, as a Jew." "Yes, next as a Jew," said Aaron, again repeating the lawyer's words. He was agitated by conflicting emotions, which no man but he could have understood--and which, indeed, in the light of the revelation which had been made, he himself could scarcely grasp, so strongly did it affect the secret of his life. But that secret still was his, and he had still to play his part. "You are commissioned to take my answer to Lord Storndale?" "He is anxiously awaiting it." "I may trust you to convey that answer as nearly as possible in my own words?" "It shall be my endeavour." "You will tell him, then, that the mission with which he has entrusted you comes upon me as a surprise. As I have already informed you, I have never, until this day, heard his name or the name of his son. As to the character you give the young gentleman, it may or may not be correct, for you speak of him as an advocate on the other side----" "But surely," interrupted the lawyer, "that would not affect the religious aspect of the question." "No, it would not affect it. But whether correct or not, it seems clear that the young gentleman has not acted as a man of honour, although he is Lord Storndale's son. A young girl's trustfulness and innocence should be her safeguard; but here they have been basely used, according to your own statement, by a man whose external accomplishments have unhappily attracted her." "And from such a man," said the lawyer, rather too eagerly, "it is a fathers duty to protect his daughter."