t I'm a criminal and
deserve the penitentiary. I don't care a straw about the others," he
cried, snapping his fingers again. "And I suppose, if I'd had any sense,
I might have expected it from you, too, Victoria--though you are my
daughter."

He was aware that her eyes followed him.

"How many times have you spoken with Austen Vane?" she asked.

"Once," he exclaimed; "that was enough. Once."

"And he gave you the impression," she continued slowly, "that he was
deceitful, and dishonourable, and a coward? a man who would say things
behind your back that he dared not say to your face? who desired reward
for himself at any price, and in any manner? a man who would enter your
house and seek out your daughter and secretly assail your character?"

Mr. Flint stopped in the middle of the floor.

"And you tell me he has not done these things?"

"Suppose I did tell you so," said Victoria, "would you believe me? I
have no reason to think that you would. I am your daughter, I have been
your most intimate companion, and I had the right to think that you
should have formed some estimate of my character. Suppose I told you
that Austen Vane has avoided me, that he would not utter a word against
you or in favour of himself? Suppose I told you that I, your daughter,
thought there might be two sides to the political question that is
agitating you, and wished in fairness to hear the other side, as I
intended to tell you when you were less busy? Suppose I told you that
Austen Vane was the soul of honour, that he saw your side and presented
it as ably as you have presented it? that he had refrained in many
matters which might have been of advantage to him--although I did not
hear of them from him--on account of his father? Would you believe me?"

"And suppose I told you," cried Mr. Flint--so firmly fastened on him
was the long habit of years of talking another down, "suppose I told you
that this was the most astute and the craftiest course he could take?
I've always credited him with brains. Suppose I told you that he was
intriguing now, as he has been all along, to obtain the nomination for
the governorship? Would you believe me?"

"No," answered Victoria, quietly.

Mr. Flint went to the lamp, unrolled the ball of telegrams, seized one
and crossed the room quickly, and held it out to her. His hand shook a
little.

"Read that!" he said.

She read it: "Estimate that more than half of delegates from this
section pledged to Hender