But when he returned with stealthy foot, for all his movements were cat-like, he caught sight of Bartley and Hope in earnest conversation, and felt very curious.
There was something so mysterious in Bartley's tones that Monckton drew up against the little window, pushed it back an inch, and listened hard.
But he could hear nothing at all until Hope's answer came to Bartley's proposal.
Then the indignant father burst out, so that it was easy enough to hear every word.

"I part with my girl! Not for the world's wealth.

What! You call yourself a father, and would tempt me to sell my own flesh and blood?
No! Poverty, beggary, anything, sooner than that.

My darling, we will thrive together or starve together; we will live together or die together!" He snatched up his hat to leave.

But Bartley found a word to make him hesitate.