It would not be sufficient that he should get out of the way and leave his girl to act for herself as though she had no friend in the world.

The surrender which he had made to his daughter had come from a sudden impulse at the moment, but it could not now be withdrawn.

So he stood out on the staircase, and when Lopez came up on his way to Everett's bedroom, he took him by the arm and led him into the drawing-room.

"Mr.Lopez," he said, "you know that I have not been willing to welcome you into my house as a son-in-law.

There are reasons on my mind,--perhaps prejudices,--which are strong against it.