to the lips, for though Levice spoke so quietly, a strong decisiveness rang
unmistakably in every word.

"Mr. Levice, I trust I am not speaking disrespectfully," he began, his
manly voice plainly agitated, "but I must say that it was a great oversight
on your part when you threw your daughter, equipped as she is, into
Christian society, --put her right in the way of loving or being loved by
any Christian, knowing all along that such a state of affairs could lead to
nothing. It was not only wrong, but, holding such views, it was cruel."

"I acknowledge my culpability; my only excuse lies in the fact that such an
event never presented itself as a possibility to my imagination. If it
had, I should probably have trusted that her own Jewish conscience and
bringing-up would protest against her allowing herself to think seriously
upon such an issue."

"But, sir, I do not understand your exception; you are not orthodox."

"No; but I am intensely Jewish," answered the old man, proudly regarding
his antagonist. "I tell you I object to this marriage; that is not saying
I oppose it. There are certain things connected with it of which neither
you nor my daughter have probably thought. To me they are all-powerful
obstacles to your happiness. Being an old man and more experienced, will
you permit me to suggest these points? My friend, I am seeking nothing but
my child's happiness; if, by opening the eyes of both of you to what
menaces her future welfare, I can avert what promises but a sometime
misery, I must do it, late though it may be. If, when I have stated my
view, you can convince me that I am wrong, I shall be persuaded and admit
it. Will you accept my plan?"