"I remember," said Thaddeus, amiably, "I remember being--a--rejected once myself. It was unpleasant, very unpleasant." "Do you think a thing of seven years is going to be thrown out like this? Do you think I'm a man to put up with this kind of business? Do you think I don't know Helen?" "I think," said Thaddeus, "that you don't. My dear fellow, you have made a curious mistake, and yet--and yet quite logical. I am charmed to say, quite such as I should have predicted. You have treated a woman with a certain contempt. You couldn't help it. It expressed, if I may say so, the degree of your culture. Nevertheless, a mistake. Deference, deference--they like it. It belongs to them. It is--a--their accumulated inheritance. Seven years--at thirteen--but, my dear fellow, a child! You announce your intention to a growing girl, by whose--a--admiring worship it is received with awe. You suppose she continues to worship you in the same primitive manner. You suppose your ownership and property established, that it merely remains to dictate and receive. How simple, how--pardon me--characteristic! By the way, your father. I recollect, had a singular opinion of you. I am candid, you see. It appears to be your faculty--remarkably so--to invite candor. If I recollect, he thought, supposing you were in some way blown up or ground up into small fragments--some accident, some catastrophe--and then fitted together carefully--supposing, if I understood him, this process repeated sufficiently--you might--but I doubt it--a--paternal weakness. But as to the situation at present, I cannot conceal my--a--satisfaction." Morgan glowered under reddish-yellow brows, and Thaddeus talked on with persistent amiability. So grim and forcible looked Morgan, so likely to be summary or primitive inaction, that it seemed to argue for Thaddeus a fine trust in the strength of social restraint, his continuing that airy, provocative speech. "A distinction arises--a child, a woman. It arose in Helen, no doubt, during her sickness. You observed the distinction, I presume, but only from its effect on you. But, really, you know, it must have affected her. I have, in my time, studied the sex--a subject of delightful interest." "I don't pretend to take interest in your delights." Morgan had grown cool. "Quite so," murmured Thaddeus. "Go ahead, and enjoy them. I suggest you don't interfere with me. I want Helen and will have her. There is a bond--" "Allow me. Has been, perhaps, an understanding assumed." "I'm not going to quibble with words." "Exactly. Whatever there has been, or been assumed to be, quite clear, no longer is--is no longer assumed. I believe I speak with authority." "I'm not going to quibble about your authority, either. You can flutter it as much as you please. I'll see Helen alone."