Page:An Unfinished Song.djvu/183

178 go further. From the room came angry voices. My father seemed in a passion of rage and was remonstrating with my sister. I knew that all this was on my account, and remained standing on the threshold. They did not notice me.

"I tell you," I heard my father say, "it is a wonder to me that I have not gone mad over all I have heard. You tell me that Moni herself broke off the engagement, but it is being whispered about that he found the girl wanting in goodness and modesty and therefore refused to marry her. What am I to say to that?"

"It is false," replied my sister emphatically.

"False, of course it's false! How many girls are there that possess the inborn humility and modesty that Moni has."

"Yes, that is true, but I meant even more. Mr. Roy has never said unkind things about Moni. He is even now willing to marry her."

"Willing to marry her! Do you think I will give my daughter to that man?"

"But try and be calm, father, and you will see that all scandal will immediately be averted if she marries him."