There was a dignity of demeanour and a quiet assured courage
which had its effect upon the old lawyer. He felt that he could
not storm and talk in ambiguous language of what a 'gentleman'
would or would not do. He might disapprove of this man
altogether as a son-in-law,--and at the present moment he
thought he did,--but still the man was entitled to a civil
answer. How were lovers to approach the ladies of their love in
any manner more respectful than this? 'Mr Lopez,' he said, 'you
must forgive me if I say that you are comparatively a stranger to
us.'

'That is an accident which would easily be cured if your will in
that direction were as good as mine.'

'But, perhaps, it isn't. One has to be explicit in these
matters. A daughter's happiness is a very serious consideration;
--and some people, among whom I confess that I am one, consider
that like people should marry like. I should wish to see my
daughter marry,--not only in my own sphere, neither higher nor
lower,--but with someone of my own class.'

'I hardly know, Mr Wharton, whether that is intended to exclude
me.'

'Well,--to tell you the truth I know nothing about you. I don't
know who your father was,--whether he was an Englishman, whether
he was a Christian, whether he was a Protestant,--not even
whether he was a gentleman. These are questions which I should
not dream of asking under any other circumstances;--would be