You can hardly expect me to be proud of what
you are ashamed to own."
She bowed her head in sudden humility. "I was wrong," she said. "I
deserve the rebuke."
"I have hurt you. Forgive me."
She placed her hand on his. He observed that it was as cold as ice.
"While it is true that we have denied him, my dear David, nevertheless
we do belong to him. She is his daughter. That is what I am trying to
make plain to you."
"If she chooses to call herself his daughter, I am perfectly content
to call myself his son."
"I wanted to hear you say that, David. You must take her as Thomas
Braddock's daughter, quite as much as you do as Albert Portman's
granddaughter."
"I am not deceiving myself," he said with a smile.
"Then I am ready to give my consent to an immediate marriage," she
said. For the first time since their interview began she spoke
hurriedly. A feverish light came into her eyes, burning bright and
dry.
He sprang to his feet, triumphant. "Come with me to her! She will name
the day if you--"
"I shall name the day, David," she said evenly. "It must be to-night,
--this very night,--before her father goes away.
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