“Thomas!” he said as though repeating an unfamiliar name. “I thought you were all done with him.” “Dada,” she said very gently, “I love Freddy. All the time I was away I was testing myself--honestly and truly trying to forget him. I didn’t hear from him and I didn’t send him even a postcard. But now that I’m back it’s all just the same. We do love each other; he’s the only man in the world that can ever make me happy. Please--don’t say no!” He got up slowly, and walked the length of the veranda and came back to find her leaning against one of the pillars. “Now, Leila,” he began sharply, “we’ve been all over this, and I thought you realized that a marriage with that man would be a mistake--a grave blunder. He’s playing upon your sympathy--telling you, no doubt, what a great mistake he made in his first venture.” “I’ve seen him only once since I got back and that was the other night at the club,” she replied patiently. “Freddy’s no cry-baby; you know you couldn’t find a single thing against him except the divorce, and that wasn’t his fault. He’s perfectly willing to answer any questions you want to ask him. Isn’t that fair enough?” “You expect me to treat with him--listen to his nasty scandal! I’ve told you it won’t do! There’s never been a divorce in our family--nor in your mother’s family! I feel strongly about it. The thing has got too common; it’s taken away all the sanctity of marriage! And that I should welcome as a husband for a young girl like you a man who has had another wife--a woman who’s still living--keeping his name, I understand--I tell you, Leila, it won’t do! It’s my duty to protect you from such a thing. I have wanted you to take a high position in this community--such a position as your mother held; and can you imagine yourself doing it as the second wife of a man who’s not of our circle, not our kind at all?” He flung round, took a few quick steps and then returned to the attack. “I want this matter to be disposed of now. What would our friends think of me if I let you do such a thing? They’d think I’d lost my mind! I tell you it’s not in keeping with our position--with your position as my daughter--to let you make a marriage that would change the whole tone of the family. If you’ll think a little more about this I believe you’ll see just what the step means. I want the best for you. I don’t believe your happiness depends on your marrying this man. I may as well tell you bluntly now that I can never reconcile myself to the idea of your marrying him. I’ve thought it all over in all its aspects. You’ve never had a care nor a worry in your life. When you marry I want you to start even--with a man who’s your equal in the world’s eyes.”