“I fear he is facing more than any of your friends.”

“And, possibly, fear is the reason.”

“I do not think so.”

“It appears strange to me, papa, that you are more ready to trust than I am.  If there is nothing which will not bear the light, why is he so reticent even to his friend?”

“I do not know the reasons for his course, nor am I sure that they would seem good ones to me, but my knowledge of human nature is at fault if he is not trustworthy.  I wish we did know what burdens his mind and trammels his action.  Since we do not I will admit, to-night, that I am glad you feel toward him just as you do.”

“Papa, you entertain doubts at last.”

“No, I admit that something of importance is unknown and bids fair to remain so, but I cannot help feeling that it is something for which he is not to blame.  Nevertheless, I would have you take no steps in the dark, were the whole city his.”

“O papa! you regard this matter much too seriously.  What steps had I proposed taking?  How much would it cost me to dispense with his society altogether?”

“I do not know how much it might cost you in the end.”

“Well, you can easily put the question to the test.”

“That I do not propose to do.  I shall not act as if what may be a great misfortune was a fault.  Events will make everything clear some day, and if they clear him he will prove a friend whom I, at least, shall value highly.  He is an unusual character, one that interests me greatly, whatever future developments may reveal.  It would be easy for me to be careless or arbitrary, as I fear many fathers are in these matters.  I take you into my confidence and reveal to you my thoughts.  You say that your reason has much to do with this matter.  I take you at your word.  Suspend judgment in regard to Merwyn.  Let him come and go as he has done.  He will not presume on such courtesy, nor do you in any wise commit yourself, even to the friendly regard that you have for others.  For your sake, Marian, for the chances which the future may bring, I should be glad if your heart and hand were free when I learn the whole truth about this young fellow.  I am no match-maker in the vulgar acceptation of the word, but I, as well as you, have a deep interest at stake.  I have informed myself in regard to Mr. Merwyn, senior.  The son appears to have many of the former’s traits.  If he can never meet your standard or win your love that ends the matter.  But, in spite of everything, he interests you deeply, as well as myself; and were he taking the same course as your friend who has just left, he would stand a better chance than that friend.  You see how frank I am, and how true to my promise to help you.”

Marian came and leaned her arm on his shoulder as she looked thoughtfully into the glowing grate.

At last she said:  “I am grateful for your frankness, papa, and understand your motives.  Many girls would not make the sad blunders they do had they such a counsellor as you, one who can be frank without being blunt and unskilful.  In respect to these subjects, even with a daughter, there must be delicacy as well as precision of touch.”