Mrs. Severence visibly shrank. She felt as if that handsome,
predatory face were pressed against the very window of her inmost
soul.
"You wish to talk to me," she echoed, with a feeble conciliatory
smile.
"About your daughter," said Craig, still more curt and aggressive.
"Mrs. Severence, your daughter ought to get married."
Roxana Severence was so amazed that her mouth dropped open.
"Married?" she echoed, as if her ears had deceived her.
The colossal impudence of it! This young man, this extremely
common young man, daring to talk to her about such a private
matter! And she had not yet known him a month; and only within the
last fortnight had he been making frequent visits--entirely on his
own invitation, for she certainly would not overtly provoke such a
visitation as his coming meant. Mrs. Severence would have been
angry had she dared. But Craig's manner was most alarming; what
would--what would not a person so indifferent to the decencies of
life do if he were crossed?
"She must get married," pursued Craig firmly. "Do you know why
I've been coming here these past two or three weeks?"
Mrs. Severence was astounded anew. The man was actually about to
propose for her daughter! This common man, with nothing!
"It's not my habit to make purposeless visits," continued he,
"especially among frivolous, idle people like you.
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