"I assure you, nevertheless, and in spite of appearances, the facts do not speak the truth if they impugn the respectability of Miss Stafford--that is the young lady's name." Mrs. Derinzy bowed scornfully. "I can give you an ample and trustworthy assurance on this point, for I am acquainted--I was made acquainted by Paul himself--with every particular of their intimacy, until within a few weeks of the event which led to his illness; and the remainder I have learned partly from inquiries elsewhere, but chiefly from Miss Stafford herself. If you will listen to me, Mrs. Derinzy, I will tell you Miss Stafford's history, so far as I know it, and the whole truth respecting her position with regard to your son. And in order that what I have to say may be more convincing, may have more weight with you, let me tell you in the first place that I never spoke a word to Miss Stafford until yesterday, when I went to her in my fear and trouble about Paul, feeling convinced that from _her_ only could any real assistance be procured." "Go on," said Mrs. Derinzy, with sullen resignation. "This is a pleasant hearing for a mother; but it is our fate, I suppose. Tell me what you have to tell." George obeyed her. He recapitulated all that had passed between himself and Paul on the subject of Daisy, from the time when he had accidentally witnessed their meeting in Kensington Gardens, to the last conversation he had held with Paul before he went to Germany. She listened, still sullen, but with interest, until he told her what was Daisy's position in life; and then she interrupted him with the comment for which he had been prepared. "A milliner's girl! Truly Paul has a gentlemanly taste! And I am to believe _she_ had scruples and _made_ difficulties?" "You are," returned George, gravely; "for it is true. I do not sympathise with your notions of caste, Mrs. Derinzy--I think I have known more bad men and unscrupulous women of gentle than of plebeian blood--but I understand them. Miss Stafford _had_ scruples, scruples which Paul failed to vanquish--more shame to him for trying--and she made difficulties which he could not surmount. The last and gravest--that which threw him into the fever in which he is now striving and battling for life--was her refusal, her point-blank, uncompromising, positive refusal, to marry him!" "To marry him!" exclaimed Mrs. Derinzy, starting up from her chair in very undignified surprise and anger. "My son propose to _marry_ a milliner's girl! I won't believe it!"