If I am to disappoint my sister--cruelly to disappoint her--it must be for some better cause than a mere caprice." It was strongly put, and not easily answered.

Madame Fontaine made a last effort--she invented the likeliest motives she could think of.

"I object, sir, in the first place, to putting off the most important event in my daughter's life, and in my life, as if it was some trifling engagement.
Besides, how do I know that some other unlucky circumstance may not cause more delays; and perhaps prevent the marriage from taking place at all ?" Mr.Keller rose from his chair.

Whatever her true motives might be, it was now perfectly plain that she was concealing them from him.

"If you have any more serious reasons to give me than these," he said quietly and coldly, "let me hear them between this and post-time tomorrow.