"All through my life, father," said Kingsley, with spirit, "I shall do the same."
"Well and good. I have a special reason, Kingsley, in speaking of myself in the way I have done."
"Will you favor me with your reason, father?"
"Yes. It is to put a strong emphasis upon what you will lose if you cut yourself away from me."
"Is there any fear of that, father?" asked Kingsley, with a sinking heart.
"It will be for you, not for me, to answer that question; and it will be answered, I presume, more in acts than in words. I return to the Mr. Loveday, who is described to me as a person of no character, and whom you describe as a gentleman."
"He is one, father, believe me," said Kingsley, earnestly.
"Do gentlemen travel about the country in caravans, sleeping in them by the roadsides?"
Kingsley could not help smiling. "Not generally, father, but some men are whimsical."
"Let us keep to the point, Kingsley. According to your account we are speaking of a gentleman."
"We are," said Kingsley, somewhat nettled at this pinning down.
"Then you mean that some gentlemen are whimsical?"
"In what respect is this Mr. Loveday a gentleman? Does he come of an old family?"
"And travels about in a broken-down caravan, and you wish me to believe he is a gentleman. I would prefer to take your word, Kingsley, against that of my informant, but in this instance I cannot do so. It would be stretching the limits too far."
"Very well. But Mr. Loveday does not travel alone in this caravan; he has a person he calls his daughter with him."
"It is coming," thought Kingsley, and he set his teeth fast, and said': "His daughter, a lady, travels with him."
"So far, then, my facts are indisputable. This young woman is described to me as an artful, designing person who has used all her arts to entangle you--because you have a rich father."
"Who dares say that?" cried Kingsley, starting up with flashing eyes.
"My informant. I understand, also, that some months since she contracted secretly a disreputable marriage, and that her husband--do not interrupt me for a moment, Kingsley--has conveniently disappeared in order to give her time to bleed you, through your rich father. To go through the ceremony again would be a light matter with her."