He stared at her appraisingly, wonderingly. His
demanding survey of her was disconcerting, but his somberness was that of
disappointment rather than of any distrust.
"Has your father asked you to talk to me on the subject of that business?"
She did not reply promptly. But his challenge was too direct.
"I confess that father did intimate that there'd be no need of mentioning
him in the matter."
"He asked you to talk to me, then?"
"Yes, Stewart!"
"And I thought you were talking only for yourself when you begged me to
step up into that broader life!" His voice trembled. She did not appear to
understand his emotion.
"But I _am_ talking for myself," protested the girl.
"You're talking only your father's views, his plans, his ambition, his
scheme of life--talking Daunt's project for his own selfish ends!"
"I don't understand!"
"I hope you don't! For the sake of my love for you, I hope so!" He was
striving to control himself. "In the name of what we have been to each
other in days past, I hope you are not their--that you don't realize they
are making you a----But I can't say it! I want proof from you now by word
o' mouth! I don't want any more prattle of business! I want you to show me
that you are talking for yourself.
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