n't know. It did not seem quite fitting to ask her until I had spoken
to you."

Torrance said nothing for almost a minute, and to Clavering the silence
became almost intolerable. The old man's forehead was wrinkled and he
stared at the wall in front of him with vacant eyes. Then, he spoke very
slowly.

"That was the square thing, and I have to thank you. For twenty years now
I have worked and saved for Hetty--that she might have the things her
mother longed for and never got. And I've never been sorry--the girl is
good all through. It is natural that she should marry; and even so far as
the dollars go, she will bring as much to her husband as he can give her,
and if it's needful more; but there are one or two points about you I
don't quite like."

The old man's voice vibrated and his face grew softer and the respect that
Clavering showed when he answered was not all assumed.

"I know my own unworthiness, sir, but I think any passing follies I may
have indulged in are well behind me now."

"Well," said Torrance drily, "it's quite hard to shake some tastes and
habits off, and one or two of them have a trick of hanging on to the man
who thinks he has done with them. Now, I want a straight answer. Do you
know any special reason why it would not be the square thing for you to
marry my daughter?"

A faint colour crept into Clavering's face. "I know a good many which
would make the bargain unfair to her," he said, "but there are very few
men in this country who would be good enough for her."

Torrance checked him with a lifted hand. "That is not what I mean. It is
fortunate for most of us that women of her kind believe the best of us and
can forgive a good deal. I am not speaking generally: do you know any
special reason--one that may make trouble for both of you? It's a plain
question, and you understand it. If you do, we'll go into the thing right
now, and then, if it can be got over, never mention it again."

Clavering sat silent, knowing well that delay might be fatal, and yet held
still by something he had heard in the old man's voice and seen in his
eyes. However, he had succeeded in signally defeating one blackmailer.

"Sir," he said, very slowly, "I know of no reason now."

Torrance had not moved his eyes from him. "Then," he said, "I can only
take your word. You are one of us and understand the little things that
please girls like Hetty. If she will take you, you can count on my good
will."

Clavering mad