“If it’s a question of religion--I always thought your views were latitudinarian.” “I suppose Minna knows of this?” said Israel, apparently disregarding the remark. “Certainly.” “Mr. Colman, I have no wish to wound your feelings. But I would sooner have my daughter dead at my feet than see her married to a Christian.” “Then it is useless to ask for your consent?” “Quite useless.” “In that case I fear we shall have to do without it. I am exceedingly sorry to cause you pain--but the marriage will take place.” Israel rose from his chair and poured some whiskey into the glasses, and made a courteous motion with his hand towards the siphon of soda-water. “We stand on opposite sides of a great gulf. I am a Jew. You are a Gentile. We need not discuss the question. I can’t restrain my daughter from carrying out her wishes. But I can solemnly curse her after the manner of my people, and cut her adrift from me for ever. I shall warn her. The wrath of the Almighty will be on her head. She will also be disinherited.” “That will ease my mind of a great burden,” said Hugh. “To show you that it is no animosity towards you personally that influences me,” continued Israel, with great dignity, inconceivable of the man of an hour before, “I will let you see a copy of my will made some time ago when the thought of you as a suitor never crossed my mind.” He drew a bunch of keys from his pocket and opened the great safe. From a locked compartment he drew forth a document, and, folding it so that only the particular paragraph should be visible, he showed it to Hugh. Nothing could be more explicit. In the event of Minna marrying a Gentile all the estate would pass from her and be devoted to specified Jewish charities. “I hope Minna will be able to persuade you to a more favourable view of the case,” said Hugh. “My daughter can do many things, but not that. She despises her people, I know. But she shall marry among them or be cut off from our congregation for ever.” “There seems nothing more to be said, Mr. Hart,” said Hugh. “You quite realise that when my daughter leaves this house, the clothes that cover her will be her sole possession?” “I have told you--I am immensely relieved. As to our business relations----” “They can be discussed on a future occasion.” Proud as he was of his birth and breeding, Hugh could not but be abashed before this pride of race that transformed the vulgar usurer into a gentleman of fine feeling. Israel’s words and attitude had not conveyed the slightest reproach on the score of fortune-hunting. He had cast neither his poverty nor his debt in his teeth. A great feeling of respect for the old man rose in his heart. “Believe me,” he said after a turn across the room; “if fate would allow it, I would give up the idea for your sake.” “We all make our destiny,” replied the old man, bitterly. “I have made mine.”