Why did his father tell him all this? George thought of the day on
which his father had, as he was accustomed to say to himself, turned
him out of the house because he wanted to marry this girl who was
'as good as a fortune' to any man. Had he, then, been imprudent in
allowing himself to love such a girl? Could there be any good
reason why his father should have wished that a 'fortune,' in every
way so desirable, should go out of the family? 'She'll have nothing
to do of that sort if she goes to Basle,' said George moodily.

'That is more than you can say,' replied his father. 'A woman
married to a man of business can always find her share in it if she
pleases. And with such a one as Adrian Urmand her side of the house
will not be the least considerable.'

'I suppose he is little better than a fool,' said George.

'A fool! He is not a fool at all. If you were to see him buying,
you would not call him a fool. He is very far from a fool.'

'It may be so. I do not know much of him myself.'

'You should not be so prone to think men fools till you find them
so; especially those who are to be so near to yourself. No;--he's
not a fool by any means. But he will know that he has got a clever
wife, and he will not be ashamed to make use of her.'

George was unwilling to contradict his father at the present moment,
as he had all but made up his mind to tell the whole story about
himself and Marie before he returned to the house. He had not the
slightest idea that by doing so he would be able to soften his