“They are indeed, sir,” said Mr. Allen, “and I congratulate you.  I know the value of a good lineage, and I feel safe in talking freely with a gentleman of your standing in regard to this disagreeable business.”

At about this stage in the proceedings I felt an obscure twinge.  My conscience was uneasy; for I found myself taking sides with Mr. Allen in favor of family pride and against “those people,” as he had termed persons of doubtful color.  I had instinctively defended myself against the suggestion that I might possibly be one of them.  If this skilful lawyer had intended, as possibly he did, to disarm me wholly at the outset, so that I could make no attack upon the position which he intended to assume, he could not have done it more effectually.

“The truth is,” said Mr. Allen cheerfully, “we regard Mr. Brown as about the best and most intelligent young man that has ever taught in our school.  He is manly, and conscientious to a fault.  Aside from his family, the only trouble I find with him is that he is not politic.  It was very honorable in him to state to us his parentage as he did.  If he had been willing to stop there, possibly we might have managed it,—­at least so far as the school was concerned.  But it was not necessary and it was not wise to bring that colored woman here.  It may have been remarkably filial and brave, and all that, but it was not judicious.  I think you will agree with me that it was not judicious.”

I hesitatingly admitted that it probably was not.

“I felt sure that you would take a sensible view of the matter,” said Mr, Allen.  “I am truly sorry that Mr. Brown could not have been more discreet.  If he has imagined that he could push that woman into our society, he is mistaken.  And now, while I think of it, there is a message which I should be glad to send to Mr. Brown, if you will be so kind as to convey it.”

I expressed my willingness to carry the message.

“It has probably come to your knowledge that my daughter Caroline has won the admiration of Mr. Brown.”

I replied that Anthony had mentioned it.

“The truth is,” resumed Mr. Allen, “we entertained the highest opinion of the young man, and he has visited frequently at our house.  I am willing to admit to you that the feeling I spoke of has been mutual.  With your appreciation of the claims of propriety, the impossibility of a union will of course be apparent to you.”

“Then you regard it as impossible?” I asked.

“Yes,” he replied.  “Do you not so regard it?  Think for a moment what it involves.  Some friends of ours in a Western city, as my wife was saying yesterday, have had a trouble of this kind a generation or two back, and the children of the present family are in a condition of chronic worry upon the subject.  They are wealthy, and are regarded and treated in society as white people; but the two young ladies use some kind of whitening on their faces habitually.  The circumstances of