'Indeed! Well, I shall not do anything of the sort. Is it my business to
open her guardian's eyes? Why should I? No; I won't interfere in the
matter at all. Let them go their own way. Do you hear, Edith? Let them
do just whatever they like.'

'Yes; I was going to.'

'Mind you, they'll be wretched,' he added rather vindictively. 'If I
only saw a chance of happiness for them I shouldn't mind so much.'

'Why do you think they will be miserable if they are married?'

'Of course they will. People who behave in that unprincipled way
before--'

'Why, we used to sit in the garden,' said Edith timidly.

'Oh, yes, of course; after your father had given his consent.'

'And once or twice before.'

Bruce smiled rather fatuously. 'Don't compare the two cases. I was a man
of the world.... I was very firm, wasn't I Edith? Somehow at first your
father didn't seem to like me, but I reasoned with him. I always reason
calmly with people. And then he came round. Do you remember how pleased
you were that day?' He patted Edith's hair.

'Then why be so severe?'