"Father, she has done you no wrong. Why are you so bitter against
her? It's not right--it's not like you."

Bansemer looked steadily at him for a full minute.

"Is she going to marry you, Graydon?"

"She refuses, absolutely."

"Then, she's better than I thought. Perhaps I'm wrong in hating
her as I do. It's because she took you away from me. Give me time,
Graydon. Some day I may tell you all I know. Don't urge me now; I
can't do it now. I don't want to see her again. Don't think I'm a
fool about it, boy, and don't speak of it again. Give me time."

"She is the gentlest woman in the world."

"You love her?"

"Better than my life."

"Graydon, I--I hope she will change her mind and become your wife."

"You do? I don't understand."

"That's why I'd rather she never could know who her parents are.
The shadow is invisible now; it wouldn't help matters for her if it
were visible. She's better off by not knowing. Has Droom intimated
that he knows?"