“Strange⁠—it’s strange,” he said, “and you love her very much?”

“Yes, very much.”

“Well⁠—it’s all most strange to me. That is⁠—my dear fellow, it is such a surprise⁠—such a blow⁠—that⁠ ⁠… You see, it is not your financial position (though I should not object if you were a bit richer)⁠—I am thinking of my daughter’s happiness, of course, and the thing is⁠— are you able to give her the happiness she deserves? And then⁠—is all this a joke on her part, or is she in earnest? I don’t mean on your side, but on hers.”

At this moment Alexandra’s voice was heard outside the door, calling out “Papa!”

“Wait for me here, my boy⁠—will you? Just wait and think it all over, and I’ll come back directly,” he said hurriedly, and made off with what looked like the rapidity of alarm in response to Alexandra’s call.