“Please deal frankly with me, Mrs. Yorke,” he said. “If you think Miss Yorke would consider my visit an intrusion, tell me so, and I will go away before she comes.” “Not an intrusion; that is scarcely the word. But I am afraid she will be disturbed at finding you here.” “But why? Surely there is no harm in a friend like myself calling on her beneath her own mother’s roof?” Mrs. Yorke gave a questioning glance at him. “I hardly know what to say to you, Mr. Hammond. You call yourself my daughter’s friend, but what do you really know about her?” Hammond was silenced. He recalled the discovery that he had just made, that he did not even know the true name of the girl whom he had come to question, and he began to feel vaguely uncomfortable. He answered, rather lamely: “I can only say that it is my greatest ambition that you and your daughter should include me among your friends.” Mrs. Yorke shook her head with a resolution that had a certain sadness in it. “How can you be our friend? What is there in common between you and us? It would have been better if you had not come here, Mr. Hammond.” “Why do you say that?” he protested. “Why should you think it necessary to keep me at arm’s length like this?” “Surely you must see that for yourself. You know well enough what the world thinks of such friendships between a gentleman in your position and a singer on the music-hall stage. What impression would it make on your mind, if you found my daughter receiving the visits of one of your society friends?” Hammond was staggered by this unconscious reference to his own doubts. He could only reply: “That would depend on many things--for instance, whether I believed him to be actuated by the same motives as myself.” “I do not see what difference his motives could make. It is impossible for me to look upon attentions from one in your position as likely to lead to any good result.” “But why not?” Hammond pleaded, earnestly. “It is true that, as you say, I know but little of Miss Yorke. But that little has been enough to make me wish to know more. Is there any reason why I should not? I will be plain with you, on condition that you will be plain with me. Is there any reason why you should not allow me to visit your house on the footing of one who means to ask you for your daughter’s hand?” Mrs. Yorke recoiled. Instead of showing common surprise at the question, or that gratification which the ordinary mother feels when such words are addressed to her by a man far her child’s superior in wealth and station, an anxious, frightened look came into her eyes. “No, you must not think of that!” she exclaimed, hastily; and then added, in a calmer tone: “Such a marriage would be impossible. The difference between her and you is too great.” “It has been crossed before now,” returned Hammond. “If you have no better reason for your refusal than that, I shall stay.” And he settled himself firmly in his chair. Mrs. Yorke wrung her hands.