第16章

The man, certainly, was one strangely endowed with the power of creating a belief.When going to Mr Wharton in his chambers, he had not intended to cheat the lawyer into any erroneous idea about his family, but he had resolved that he would so discuss the question of his own condition, which would probably be raised, as to leave upon the old man's mind an unfounded conviction that, in regard to money and income, he had no reason to fear question.Not a word had been said about his money or his income.And Mr Wharton had felt himself bound to abstain from allusions to such matters from an assured feeling that he could not in that direction plant an enduring objection.In this way Lopez had carried his point with Mr Wharton.He had convinced Mrs Roby that among all the girl's attractions the greatest attraction for him was the fact that she was Mrs Roby's niece.He had made Emily herself believe that the one strong passion of his life was his love for her, and this he had done without ever having asked for her love.And he had even taken the trouble to allure Dick, and had listened to and had talked whole pages out of "Bell's Life".On his own behalf it must be acknowledged that he did love the girl, as well perhaps as he was capable of loving anyone;--but he had found out many particulars as to Mr Wharton's money before he had allowed himself to love her.

As soon as Mrs Roby had gathered up her knitting, and declared, as she always did on such occasions, that she could go round the corner without having anyone to look after her.Mr Wharton began, 'Emily, my dear, come here.' Then she came and sat on a footstool at his feet, and looked up into his face.'Do you know what I am going to speak about, my darling?'

'Yes, papa; I think I do.It is about--Mr Lopez.'

'Your aunt has told you, I suppose.Yes, it is about Mr Lopez.

I have been very much astonished to-day by Mr Lopez,--a man of whom I have seen very little and know less.He came to me to-day and asked for my permission--to address you.' She sat perfectly quiet, still looking at him, but did not say a word.'Of course I did not give my permission.'

'Why of course, papa?'

'Because he is a stranger and a foreigner.Would you have wished me to tell him that he might come?'

'Yes, papa.' He was sitting on a sofa and shrank back a little from her as she made this free avowal.'In that case I could have judged for myself.I suppose every girl would like to do that.'

'But should you have accepted him?'

'I think I should have consulted you before I did that.But Ishould have wished to accept him.Papa, I do love him.I have never said that before to anyone.I would not say so to you now, if he had not--spoken to you as he has done.'

'Emily, it must not be.'

'Why not, papa? If you say it shall not be so, it shall not, Iwill do as you bid me.' Then he put out his hand and caressed her, stroking down her hair.'But I think you ought to tell me why it must not be,--as I do love him.'

'He is a foreigner.'

'But is he? And why should not a foreigner be as good as an Englishman? His name is foreign, but he talks English and lives as an Englishman.'

'He has no relatives, no family, no belongings.He is what we call an adventurer.Marriage, my dear, is a most serious thing.'

'Yes, papa, I know that.'

'One is bound to be very careful.How can I give you to a man Iknow nothing about,--an adventurer? What would they say in Hertfordshire?'

'I don't know why they should say anything, but if they did Ishouldn't much care.'

'I should, my dear.I should care very much.One is bound to think of one's family.Suppose it should turn out afterwards that he was--disreputable?'

'You may say that of any man, papa.'

'But when a man has connections, a father and a mother, or uncles and aunts, people that everybody knows about, then there is some guarantee of security.Did you ever hear this man speak of his father?'

'I don't know that he ever did.'

'Or his mother,--or his family? Don't you think that is suspicious?'

'I will ask him, papa, if you wish.'

'No.I would have you ask him nothing.I would not wish that there should be an opportunity for such asking.If there has been intimacy between you, such information should have come naturally,--as a thing of course.You have made him no promise?'

'Oh no, papa.'

'Nor spoken to him--of your regard for him?'

'Never;--not a word.Nor to me,--except in such words as one understands even though they say nothing.'

'I wish he had never seen you.'