another affair. She had flirted not a little in her day for the mere
amusement of the thing, and with the motives her father had presented
she could do it in this case as if it were an act of devotion. Of the
pure and lofty morality of the Bible she had as little idea as a
Persian houri, and rugged Roman virtue could not develop in the social
atmosphere in which the Allens lived. It was with a clear conscience
that she resolved to beguile Mr. Fox, and signified as much to her
father.

"Play him off," said this model father, "as Mr. Goulden does Laura.
Curse him!--how I would like to slam the front door in his face. But
my time may come yet," he added with set teeth.

That morning Mr. Allen sent for Mr. Fox, as he dared brave him no
longer without some definite show of yielding, in order to keep back
his fatal disclosures. With a dignity and formality scarcely in
keeping with his fear and the import of his words, he said:

"I have considered your statements, sir, and admit their weight. As I
informed you through my lawyer, I wish to be reasonable and hope you
intend to be the same, for these are very grave matters. In regard to
my daughter, you have my permission to call upon her as do her other
gentleman friends, and she will receive you. In this land, that is all
the vantage-ground a _gentleman_ asks, as indeed it is all that can be
granted. I am not the King of Dahomey or the Shah of Persia, and able
to give my daughters where interest may dictate. A lady's inclination
must be consulted. But I give you the permission you ask; you may pay
your addresses to my daughter. You could scarcely ask a father to say
more."