“Eh?  Why, naturally,” the Billionaire replied, scowling at the interruption.  “His game of refusing his identity was, of course, just a clever dodge on his part.  He certainly must expect something out of it.  I have—­er—­set certain forces at work to discover him; and, as I say, when I’ve done so, I will reward him liberally, and—­”

“You’d better not!” ejaculated Kate, with animation.  “He isn’t the sort of man you can take liberties with!”

“Hm?  What now?” said Flint, with vexation.  “What do you know about him?”

“Oh, nothing, nothing, father,” the girl answered quickly.  “Only, I think you’re making a mistake to try and force a reward on a man who doesn’t want it.  But no matter,” she added, her face tinged by a warmer glow—­which Flint was quick to see.  “Forgive my interruption.  Now, about Wally?”

The old man peered intently at his daughter, a full minute, then with a peculiar sinking at his heart, made shift to say: 

“About Wally, yes; you simply don’t understand.  That’s all.  Listen now, Kate, and be reasonable.”

“I will, daddy.  Only don’t ask me to marry a man I don’t and can’t love, ever, ever, so long as I live!”

“That isn’t anything, my girl.  Love isn’t all.”

“It is, to me!  Without it, marriage is only—­” She shuddered.  “No, daddy; a thousand times better for me to be an old maid, and—­and all that, than give myself to him!”

Flint set his teeth hard together.

“Kate,” said he, his voice like wire, “now hear what I have to say!  I want you fully to understand the character and desirability of Maxim Waldron!”

Then in a cold, analytic voice, carefully, point by point, he analyzed the suitor, told of his wealth and power, his connections and his prospects, his culture, travel, political influence and world-wide reputation.

“Furthermore,” he added, while Kate listened with an expression as cold as her father’s tone itself, “he is my partner.  We are allied, in business.  I hope we may be, too, in family.  This man is one that any woman in the world might be proud to call her husband—­proud, and glad!  Love flies away, in a few brief months or years.  Wealth and power and respect remain.  And, with these, love too may come.  Be strong, Kate!  Be sensible!  You are no child, but a grown woman.  I shall not try to force you.  All I want to do is show you your own best interest.  Think this all over.  Sleep on it.  Tomorrow, let us talk of it again.  For your own sake, and mine, do as you should, and let folly be averted.  Renew the engagement.  Hush the breath of gossip and scandal.  Conform.  Play the game!  Do right—­be strong!”

She only shook her head; and now he saw the glister of tear-drops in those beautiful gray eyes.

“Father,” cried she, standing up and holding out both hands to him.  “Have mercy on me!  I can’t—­I can’t!  My heart refuses and I cannot force it.  All this—­what is it to me?” She swept her hand at the glowing luxury around her.  “Without love, what would such another home be to me?  Worse than a prison-cell, I swear!  A living death, to one like me!  Barter and sale—­cold calculation—­oh, horrible prostitution, horrible, unspeakable!