Marie, he did not doubt, had tried all these, and had failed.

His father's purpose had been too strong for her, and she had yielded.

Having submitted once, of course she would submit again.

There was about his father a spirit of masterfulness, which he was sure Marie would not be able to withstand.

And then there would be--strong against his interests, George thought--that feeling so natural to a woman, that as all the world had been told of her coming marriage, she would be bound to go through with it.