"No, sir," interrupted Bodine, "I am not prejudiced against you at all. I have my own personal reasons for taking the ground I do, and it is not necessary to discuss them. I think our interview may as well end at once." "Captain Bodine, you will admit that I have acted honorably in this matter. Since your daughter told me that you were averse to our acquaintance, I have made no effort to see her." "Certainly, sir, that was right and honorable. Any other course would not have been so." "It is my purpose to maintain a strictly honorable and straightforward course in this suit." "Do you mean to say that you will pursue this suit contrary to my wishes?" "Certainly. There is no law, human or divine, which forbids a man from loving a good woman, and Miss Bodine is good if any one is." "How do you propose to carry on this suit?" the captain asked sternly. "I scarcely know yet, but in no underhand way. I must ask you to inform Miss Bodine of this interview." "Suppose I decline to do this?" "Then I shall make it known to her myself." "In other words, you defy me." "Not at all, not in the sense in which you speak. I shall take no action whatever without your knowledge." "You must remember that my daughter is not of age." "I do not dispute your right in the least to control her action till she is, but I shall not take the risk of losing her by timidity and delay. Others will appreciate her worth as well as myself. I wish her to know that I love her, and would make her my wife." "You appear to think that this is all that is essential so far as she is concerned," said Bodine, in bitter sarcasm. "You do me wrong, sir," Houghton replied, flushing hotly. "Even if you should give your full consent, I, better than any one, know that my suit would be doubtful. But it would be hopeless did I not reveal to her my feelings and purposes." "If she herself, then, informs you that it is hopeless, that would end the matter?" "Certainly, after years of patient effort to induce her to think otherwise." "I do not think you have shown any patience thus far, sir. You have scarcely more than met her before you enter, recklessly and selfishly, on a 'suit,' as you term it, which can only bring wretchedness to her and to those who have the natural right to her allegiance and love."