"I will not turn you away at all, but I cannot sanction anything more than kind friendship between you and my child till your father has spoken. Julian, do you not see that I am striving to perform a duty which I consider right?"
"Of course I do, and I am greatly to be blamed for worrying you. But let me see her for one moment. It is only to say good-morning and to shake hands. You would not have refused me yesterday."
"Nor will I now. I rely upon your honor, Julian."
She called her daughter, and turned from them while they spoke. They exchanged only a few words, but Constance's hand remained in Julian's and that was happiness enough for the present. Then Julian called out to Emilia:
"Good-morning. I shall be here again very soon."
She accompanied him to the door, and sent him away with a bright smile, but there was a fear at her heart which she could not have defined had she endeavored to set it clearly before her.
An hour afterward M. Bordier was announced.
"Constance," said Emilia, "I think you had best take a walk while I speak to Julian's father."
Constance kissed her mother in silence, and was leaving the room as M. Bordier entered it.
"Are you going for a walk?" he asked, holding out his hand.
His voice and manner were so affectionate that her heart was filled with joy. Emilia's heart also throbbed with hope.
"Yes, sir," replied Constance, raising her eyes timidly to his face.
"It is a bright morning, my dear," he said. "I am glad for your sake and for Julian's."
She wiped away the happy tears as she descended the stairs and out into the sunshine.
"I thought I would lose no time," said M. Bordier to Emilia, "although really it seemed as if I were not master of my own movements. Julian was so impatient that he almost thrust me from the house. We will not beat about the bush, my dear madam. Julian is my only son, and that which affects his happiness affects me almost as nearly."
"Then you have no objection to the engagement?" said Emilia, eagerly.
"None. Julian has related to me all that passed between you and him, and said you chided him for not coming to me first."
"Perhaps, but young people in love are impetuous, and do not reflect. We ourselves were young, and can recall the time when we were in their position." A shiver passed through Emilia at this allusion. "You made some reference to Julian about the difference in our circumstances. I intend to speak very plainly, you see, because I want the ground cleared once and for all, for all our sakes. Well, there is a difference, I admit, but it is not to be taken into account. You can give your daughter no dowry. It is not needed; I am rich enough to make the future easy for them. My son is a gentleman, your daughter is a lady. I approve of her, and I shall be proud to receive her into my family." Emilia gazed at him with swimming eyes; the fear at her heart was fading away. "She is a great favorite in our home, and we are all very fond of her. I am glad that the matter has come to an issue before Julian leaves Geneva----"